Scheller
NEW YORK (77WABC) – Lt. Col. Stu Scheller, the Marine officer who posted a viral video demanding accountability from military leaders for the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, is now in the brig, Marine officials confirmed. Reportedly Scheller is in solitary confinement and was only allowed a two-minute phone call with his parents where he told them he was OK and to call his attorney.
Scheller is “currently in pre-trial confinement” while he awaits an Article 32 preliminary hearing, Marine Corps spokesman Sam Stephenson said in a statement.
“The time, date, and location of the proceedings have not been determined,” he added.
Marine Corps officials said there are no specific charges “preferred” or initiated against Scheller. Instead, the hearing is to consider whether charges of contempt toward officials, willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, failure to obey lawful general orders, or conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman should be recommended to his commander for action.
An Article 32 hearing is often compared to a grand jury in the civilian legal system.
Scheller made headlines when he posted a Facebook video on August 26th where he demanded US military leaders take some accountability for Afghanistan withdrawal in which dozens of civilians were killed along with 13 US troops.
As a result of the video, Scheller was relieved of command. He then posted a second video three days later that featured cryptic threats to “bring the whole f—ing system down.”
Since then, the Marine officer has continued to post videos, status updates, and other musings on social media. According to Scheller, he made those posts despite the advice of friends, family, and lawyers. In Sept. 16 posts on Facebook and LinkedIn, he wrote that he would make a public recommendation of charges of dereliction of duty against Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command.
A long post made Sept. 25 ended with the line, “Col Emmel please have the MPs waiting for me at 0800 on Monday. I’m ready for jail.” Scheller’s last post to date was made on Facebook the next day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KubqQ0VFwoY
Dozens of lawmakers are now demanding Lt. Col Scheller be released immediately.
In a letter to the U.S. Marine Corps Commandant, my colleagues and I have asked that LTC Stuart Scheller be released from pretrial confinement: pic.twitter.com/vTSBXTvKvh
— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) September 30, 2021
