PA Soldier Jeremy Sivits Sentenced in Iraqi Prisoner Abuse Scandal

A special court-martial Wednesday sentenced Bedford County native, Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits, to a maximum penalty of one year in prison, reduction in rank and a bad conduct discharge for his role in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse case. Sivits, 24, of Hyndman, PA, pled guilty to three counts of abuse for taking pictures of hooded, naked Iraqi prisoners being humiliated at Abu Ghraib prison. He cooperated with prosecutors and faced lesser charges than six others implicated in the crimes at Abu Ghraib prison.

More than 200 residents of Sivits' tiny southwestern Pennsylvania hometown held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening in support of Sivits.