Staff Sgt. Blaine Dugas, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Wainwright, was demoted to sergeant and sentenced to three months of confinement with a 90-day credit for time served before his trial.
The charges relate to Dugas’ failure to prevent subordinates from mistreating Chen and engaging in abusive behavior, as well as a false statement Dugas made to investigators claiming he hadn’t been informed of Chen’s mistreatment.
The government called a total of 14 witnesses in the Dugas case Thursday and Friday, while the defense called six witnesses Friday.
Eight soldiers have been charged in connection with Chen’s suicide, with four subsequently recommended for trial.
In previous courts-martial related to the Chen case, Sgt. Adam Holcomb was sentenced last month to 30 days in prison and a demotion, while Spc. Ryan J. Offutt received a six-month sentence earlier this week as well as a demotion to private and a bad conduct discharge.
