# Lt. Col. Scheller Sentenced to Reprimand, Forfeiture of Pay

By Human Events · Published 2021-10-15 · News & Analysis › World · https://humanevents.com/news/lt-col-scheller-sentenced-to-reprimand-forfeiture-of-pay

> Lt. Col. Scheller, the United States Marine who was arrested for posting public criticism of the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, was issued a letter of reprimand and a forfeiture of $5,000 worth of pay for one month after pleading guilty to all charges. The letter of reprimand was less than what was recommended. Prosecution recommended a \[…\]

Lt. Col. Scheller, the United States Marine who was arrested for posting public criticism of the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, was issued a letter of reprimand and a forfeiture of $5,000 worth of pay for one month after pleading guilty to all charges.

The letter of reprimand was less than what was recommended. Prosecution recommended a forfeiture of $5,000 of pay for 6 months and a letter of reprimand. The maximum penalty, meanwhile, could have been forfeiture of ⅔ monthly pay for a year and a letter of reprimand.

Indeed, during a court-martial hearing at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on Thursday, Scheller pled guilty to all six misdemeanor-level charges, including willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, dereliction in the performance of duties and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, *Fox News* [reports.](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stuart-scheller-us-marine-court-martial-afghanistan-withdrawal-criticism-pleads-guilty) His other charges include contempt toward officers, disrespect toward superior commissioned officers and failure to obey order or regulation.

As previously reported by *Human Events News,* Scheller was released from the brig last week after posting a video to Facebook following the suicide bombings that killed 11 Marines, one Army Green Beret and one Navy corpsman, along with several Afghani citizens. In the video, Scheller – who wore his service uniform – challenged his chain of command and demanded accountability from senior leaders on the situation in Afghanistan.

On Friday, the judge said he would have given a two-month forfeiture of pay had it not been for the nine days Scheller spent in pre-trial confinement, *Fox News* [reports](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scheller-marine-who-criticized-afghanistan-withdrawal-sentenced-reprimand-pay-forfeiture). The judge said he does not condone Scheller’s actions, but noted his 17 year USMC career, saying that prior to the incident, he boasted an outstanding record.