08/16/2008

Associated Press

A soldier from Fort Lewis who said he suffered from nightmares and flashbacks after being in combat in Iraq has been sentenced to five years in prison for burglarizing three homes.

Twenty-three-year-old Brandon T. Schein pleaded guilty in Thurston County Superior Court to three residential burglaries, third-degree assault, disarming a law enforcement officer and possession of methamphetamine, all felonies.

Schein's trial was scheduled to begin Monday. A plea agreement was reached Wednesday.

Schein had no prior criminal record and the soldier's platoon sergeant said Schein had post-traumatic stress disorder. The sergeant told investigators Schein was a "good soldier" until his return home.

Schein wrote a letter to The Olympian. He told the newspaper that he suffered from nightmares, flashbacks and lack of sleep, and has no memory of the incidents that led to his arrest. He wrote that he endured nine explosions while riding in a Stryker armored vehicle in Iraq and saw several of his friends die in combat.

Before Schein's arrest, he said he requested every week that the military provide him medical treatment for his problems, but he didn't get any treatment.

Schein has been in the Thurston County Jail since his arrest and will get credit for time served.

Schein burglarized three homes in neighborhoods April 17 south of Olympia.

Schein, a specialist, returned home in September after serving 15 months in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).

During a jail interview, Schein said he went missing from his unit because he was ashamed of being arrested for driving under the influence in Pierce County shortly after his return from Iraq.

Fort Lewis spokeswoman Catherine Caruso said Schein remains in the Army, but his criminal convictions mean he will have to leave the service.

Prosecutors said after Schein's release from prison, he will serve between nine and 18 months of probation and be required to undergo drug treatment and mental health counseling.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com