Marine officer who posted videos criticizing military leadership is now in jail: Reports

An outspoken Marine Corps officer who railed against U.S. military leadership over Afghanistan is currently in jail, according to reports. 

According to the New York Post, Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller blasted military officials last month in a series of videos and Facebook posts that have been liked thousands of times. Scheller was relieved of his duties prior to being put in the brig. 

In a post last month on Scheller’s Facebook page, he stated that he was “relieved of duty for cause based on a lack of trust and confidence” in his ability to continue his command post. 

The military media outlet, Task and Purpose, reports that Scheller is accused of being in violation of Article 88 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice due to his Facebook videos criticizing U.S. military officials.

Article 88 of the UCMJ prohibits any commissioned officer from speaking out, or using “contemptuous words” against the president, as well as Congress or their superior officers. 

Scheller is currently awaiting a hearing for allegedly violating portions of the UCMJ, as well as a gag order issued by his superiors.