Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl charged with desertion, faces life in prison

The U.S. military on Wednesday charged Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with one count of desertion and one count of misbehavior before the enemy. The former charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, while the latter carries the potential for a life sentence.

Describing the process as akin to a civilian grand jury, the military said Bergdahl would face a preliminary hearing to determine if he should go to court-martial.

The 28-year-old Bergdahl was held captive for five years by a Taliban-affiliated group after deserting his post in Afghanistan. The White House secured his release in a controversial prisoner swap last May.

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