Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller, Jr., a military officer who faced legal repercussions for speaking up against the leadership of the Department of Defense is no longer incarcerated.
Scheller received widespread attention across the nation for how the Afghanistan withdrawal had been handled. After posting a video to social media indicating his disapproval, Scheller was placed in pretrial confinement within the Regional Brig for Marine Corps Installations East, located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. However, according to Captain Sam Stephenson, a Training and Education Command spokesman, announced that both sides have reached an agreement about release.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Stephenson revealed that “[Scheller] is being released from confinement today … as a result of mutual agreement” between the Marine, and his attorneys, as well as the Commanding General and Training Command.
Stephenson also added that no further details regarding the agreement can be released “as this time.”
In the past month, Scheller gained massive attention after posting a video on social media that demanded accountability from various military leaders for the manner in which the Afghanistan withdrawal occurred. Scheller made specific references to the ISIS-K terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, as well as more than 170 Afghan nationals.
In addition, Scheller also uploaded other videos that provided insight into the consequences of his publicized requests for accountability, noting the fallout that had emerged since the upload of this first video.
While Scheller has not been charged, he may face up to four different charges that will be considered during his hearing: Article 133, which pertains to unbecoming conduct from an officer; Article 92, which pertains to a failure to follow lawful orders; Article 90, which pertains to willful disobedience of a superior commissioned officer; and Article 88, which pertains to contempt towards officials.
Multiple conservatives have demonstrated strong support for Scheller, including a group of more than two dozen Republican legislators who collectively penned a letter calling for Scheller’s release for confinement.
In addition, more than $2.5M on Scheller’s behalf has been raised by the Pipe Hitter Foundation, an organization created by Eddie Gallagher, the Navy SEAL who was pardoned by Trump.
