90 days of hard labor for Abu Ghraib dog handler

June 2, 2006

Convicted on the first of June by a military jury for participating in prisoner abuse at, former sergeant , 32, a dog handler in the , was today sentenced to ninety days of hard labour and demoted to the rank of.

Cardona was charged and convicted on two counts: aggravated assault, for using a to threaten detainees with actions "likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm," and for dereliction of duty in relation to this act. He was cleared of seven other charges.

Cardona faced up to three and a half years in prison on these charges, and despite the conviction his attorney has expressed relief at the sentence. He will not be held in confinement during the term of his sentence.