Army Review Finds That Use of Troops in Alabama Town Broke the Law

An Army investigation found that soldiers should not have been sent to man traffic stops in a small Alabama town after 11 people were killed in March during a shooting spree. An Army report released to The Associated Press on Monday in response to a Freedom of Information Act request said the decision to dispatch military police to Samson from nearby Fort Rucker broke the law. But an Army spokesman said no charges have been filed following the Aug. 10 report. "As a result of the findings of the report, the Army took administrative action against at least one person," Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said. The action was less than a transfer or discharge but Garver would not elaborate. The report from the Department of Army Inspector General found the use of military personnel in Samson violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions...read more