Navy files criminal charges against Latino sailor who refused to board ship to Iraq

A Navy sailor opposed to the war in Iraq who refused to board his ship bound for the Persian Gulf will face a special court-martial, the military equivalent of a civilian misdemeanor trial, the Navy announced Friday. The Navy said it has referred charges of absence without leave and missing movement against Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Paredes, whose refusal to report as ordered has been labeled both an act of courage and one of cowardice. Paredes, a 23-year-old from the New York City borough of the Bronx, faces a maximum of one year in jail, a forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge if he's convicted. No date for a court-martial has been set. Paredes remains on legal hold, assigned to a transient personnel unit at Naval Base San Diego, said Capt. Jacquie Yost, a Navy spokeswoman. He is required to show up for work every day but is free to leave the base at the end of the day. [more] and [more]