Soldier who fled to North Korea expected to plead guilty to desertion and assault at court martial

CNN —

The US soldier who ran across the border from South to North Korea is expected to plead guilty to desertion and assault among other charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, according to his lawyer.

“US Army Private Travis King will take responsibility for his conduct and enter a guilty plea. He was charged by the Army with fourteen offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” a statement from King’s attorney, Frank Rosenblatt, said Monday. “He will plead guilty to five of those, including desertion.”

In addition to desertion, King is pleading guilty to disobeying an officer, and assaulting a noncommissioned officer, according to Rosenblatt.

He is expected to plead not guilty to other charges, including possession of child pornography, which Rosenblatt said he expects the Army to withdraw.

King’s court martial hearing, during which he will plead guilty, “explain what he did,” and receive his sentence, is scheduled for September 20 at Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Rosenblatt.

“Travis is grateful to his friends and family who have supported him, and to all outside of his circle who did not pre-judge his case based on the initial allegations,” Rosenblatt said.

CNN previously reported that King’s legal team was in plea negotiations with military prosecutors.

King was facing 14 counts of eight total charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including desertion, possession of child pornography, assaulting a noncommissioned officer, and disobeying a superior officer. His case was taken over by the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel in July, a spokesperson from the office, Michelle McCaskill, previously told CNN.

CNN previously reported that King’s legal team was in plea negotiations