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Soldier Gets 15 Months For Fleeing To Canada

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

Updated: 08/23/2008 12:25 am

FORT CARSON, Colo. - A soldier who fled to Canada rather than fight in Iraq has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty in Fort Carson, Colo., to a reduced charge of desertion.

Pvt. Robin Long told a military judge at his sentencing Friday that he left the country over moral objections to what he called an illegal war.
Prosecutors say the 25-year-old from Boise, Idaho, abandoned his duty and his country.

Long was stationed at Fort Carson when he fled to Canada in 2005. Canadian authorities denied his request for refuge and deported him last month.

Long reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to desertion with intent to remain away permanently, a lesser charge than desertion with intent to shirk hazardous duty.

Among the defense witnesses was anti-war activist Ann Wright, a retired Army officer and former State Department official.

She said the war was against the law, arguing that justified Long's fleeing to Canada.

The Associated Press

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