Soldier’s military hearing begins

FORT LEWIS – Army Spc. Ryan G. Anderson had a fascination for guns in recent years, and he spoke often against attempts to restrict them.

He once wrote e-mails to a person he believed was an al-Qaida terrorist, and told the man he thought the U.S. war in Iraq was unjust.

That “terrorist” turned out to be a woman who belongs to a Internet cyber-sleuthing group tracking terrorist activities. Military counterintelligence agents were called in, and Anderson was arrested.

Now the Lynnwood soldier goes on trial before a military court for his statements, which they say included an attempt to pass on information on how to kill American troops.

The weeklong court-martial begins this morning and is scheduled to continue until Friday.

Anderson, 27, who grew up in south Everett, won’t face the death penalty. He could serve as much as life in prison if he’s convicted.

Anderson has pleaded innocent.

He’s charged with five counts of trying to provide information about troop strength, methods of killing U.S. soldiers and disclosing other military information to people he thought were terrorists.

Anderson’s offenses were “a real and present danger to U.S. soldiers who are currently serving in harm’s way,” said Col. Patrick Reinert, the investigating officer, when he recommended a general court-martial in May.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that the accused has committed each and every one of the offenses” in the charges,” he said.

Anderson has chosen to be tried in front of a panel of officers.

However, the number of panel members can be reduced by challenges, just as it’s done in civilian civil and criminal jury trials, said Joe Hitt, Army spokesman.

Anderson could also have chosen to include enlisted soldiers as well as officers on the jury, or to just make his case to a single judge, Hitt said.

While civilian criminal juries must reach a unanimous verdict, in military trials it only takes two-thirds of the jury panel to convict a person. Anything less, and the accused is acquitted, Hitt said.

Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, commanding general of 1st Corps at Fort Lewis, picked the 12 members of the prospective panel. Under the Uniform Code of Military Conduct, Soriano must pick people who are best qualified in terms of age, education, training, experience, length of service and other factors, Hitt said.

The trial judge will be Col. Debra Boudreau.

Anderson’s defense attorney, Maj. Joseph Morse, and Army prosecutor Maj. Chris Jenks, refused comment.

Likewise, Anderson’s wife and parents have declined comment.

Anderson, a 1995 graduate of Cascade High School, was raised as a Lutheran and converted to Islam while at Washington State University.

He was a member of the Washington National Guard’s 81st Armor Brigade. Trained as a tank driver, Anderson was arrested Feb. 12. His unit was called up the next day and is now serving in Iraq.

The Army got involved when amateur terrorist sleuth Shannen Rossmiller, a part-time judge from Conrad, Mont., noticed Anderson’s posting.

Rossmiller testified that she was monitoring an extremist Islamic Web site and started corresponding with Anderson, pretending to be a terrorist.

At the May hearing, the Army played a secretly recorded discussion between Anderson and two Army counterintelligence agents also pretending to be al-Qaida terrorists.

Among other things, Anderson patiently described how to kill crewmembers of the M1A1 Abrams tank without damaging the war machine.

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.