Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl pleaded guilty to Misbehavior Before the Enemy, and Desertion.
The crime, from Legal Information Institute [1]: :
10 U.S. Code § 899 – Art. 99. Misbehavior before the enemy
Any member of the armed forces who before or in the presence of the enemy—
(1) runs away;[…]
(3) through disobedience, neglect, or intentional misconduct endangers the safety of any such command, unit, place, or military property;
(4) casts away his arms or ammunition;
(5) is guilty of cowardly conduct;
[…]
shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69.)
Story , from NPR [2]:
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban after leaving his base in Afghanistan in 2009, has pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Bergdahl was freed in 2014 in exchange for five Taliban detainees.
Bergdahl’s tears, via Red State [3]:
In the interview, which was filmed last year by British filmmaker Sean Langan, Bergdahl said it was ‘insulting’ that he’s been portrayed as a traitor.
The charge of Treason, from LII [4]:
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, §?330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)
Bergdahl flatters himself too much. The only addition punishment imposed by Treason above that of Article 99, is disqualification from public office. As it stands, once released Bergdahl will be eligible to run for the office of dog catcher.