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Fourth soldier convicted in comrade's hazing-related suicide

A fourth soldier has been convicted in the hazing-related suicide of a 19-year-old Asian-American soldier in Afghanistan last year.

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Army Pvt. Danny Chen
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A fourth soldier has been convicted in the hazing-related suicide of a 19-year-old Asian-American soldier in Afghanistan last year.

Sgt. Travis Carden was found guilty Wednesday during a summary court-martial of hazing and maltreatment in the death of Pvt. Danny Chen.

Authorities say Chen shot himself last October in a guard tower at a southern Afghanistan outpost after weeks of physical and emotional abuse.

Carden was sentenced to reduction in rank to E-4 and forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay for one month.

Earlier this month, Staff Sgt. Blaine G. Dugas Jr. was sentenced to three months in prison and a one-rank demotion; Spc. Ryan J. Offutt was sentenced to six months in prison, demotion to private and a bad conduct discharge; and Sgt. Adam Holcomb was sentenced to 30 days in prison and the loss of one rank.

All of the defendants were members of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

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