JBLM soldier who assaulted Afghan police commander over child's rape faces Army discharge

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier who admitted he beat up an Afghan man over a child’s rape could be discharged from the Army.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports that Sgt. 1^st Class Charles Martland, 33, said he assaulted an Afghan police commander – who he was supposed to be mentoring -- because he was fed up with the commander's brutal sexual abuse of a village boy. The commander had confessed to raping the boy.

The incident happened in 2011.

His allies say he “stood up to a child rapist.”

Martland’s case is being championed by a California congressman and several veteran Green Berets who contend he shouldn’t be punished further.

Martland, 33, was awarded two Bronze Star medals, including one for valor, during his time at JBLM. He will likely be discharged in November.

KIRO