Spc. Alex Lotero PTSD and waiting in jail

Soldier with PTSD waits for Army transfer from Miami jail
Published Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 at 5:26 p.m.

MIAMI — A soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder is being jailed on a desertion charge and has not seen a judge since his arrest earlier this month, leading a veterans group to criticize the Army for not acting fast enough to transfer the man.

Spc. Alex Lotero was arrested Feb. 1 and brought to Miami-Dade County jail. He had been based at Fort Carson, Colo., before he left his post without permission.

Dee McNutt, a public affairs officer at Fort Carson, said Wednesday afternoon that Lotero should be returned to the base within a couple of days. She said Fort Carson's policy is to try to return soldiers arrested in other jurisdictions within 10 days.

Lotero was reported missing from Fort Carson on June 15, McNutt said.

Army officials said a soldier deemed to be a deserter can be held for up to 30 days before being taken into military custody, but Veterans for America spokeswoman Adrienne Willis said it was her understanding that Lotero should have been transferred within 72 hours.
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