Second Soldier Convicted in Court-Martial Case of Pvt. Danny Chen's Death

Specialist Ryan J. Offutt, an infantryman assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was sentenced to reduction in rank to E-1, confinement for 6 months and a bad conduct discharge for hazing and maltreating Pvt. Danny Chen in Afghanistan in October 2011.

At Monday's second court-martial case inside Fort Bragg's military courthouse, Offutt's defense presented the government with a plea bargain where he pleaded guilty to violating a general regulation forbidding hazing and a maltreatment charge. In return the government dismissed the charge of
negligent homicide and reckless endangerment.

The soldier apologized for his action towards Chen but justified them by stating that he saw other leadership in his chain of command treating him the same way.

Last month Sgt. Adam Holcomb was found guilty of maltreatment and assault in the case connected to Pvt. Danny Chen.