After Green Beret Is Sentenced To Night In Jail, Prison Camera Catches Judge Sneaking Into Cell

Jan 08, 2019 by apost team

A judge in North Carolina recently sentenced a veteran Green Beret to one night in the city jail. However, when considering his own journey, the judge decided he could not leave the man in jail alone for the night.

Judge Lou Olivera is a veteran of the Gulf War. He now works at the Veterans Treatment Court as a district judge in Cumberland County, North Carolina. He was recently forced to sentence Joe Serna, former Green Beret, to a night's stay in jail due to a probation violation. Serma is a three-time purple heart recipient. He is now retired and struggling with his adjustment to life outside the military. Serma suffers from PTSD resulting from the time he spent in Afghanistan. The stress of his illness caused him to turn to alcohol for relief.

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His life soon spiraled out of control and he found himself in the Veterans Treatment Court. The court was formed to aid veterans in their journey to reclaim their lives. Judge Olivera was introduced to Serma through this program. Judge Olivera recalls the tension he saw in the shoulders of Serma when the Green Beret first appeared in his court. He says he noticed the man relax a little more each time he saw him.

Olivera says he was forced to hold Serma accountable when the Green Beret lied about a failed drug and alcohol test. The punishment was a night in jail. Serma was not well when he entered the jail cell. The many memories of lost comrades rushed him at once and he remembers it being the longest day of his life. The anxiety he felt was torture. The flashbacks began as soon as the door to his cell was closed.

Green Beret Serma's mind traveled to his scariest time as a soldier. He was traveling, along with three fellow Green Beret members, when the road they traveled gave way. The truck plunged into the water and quickly began to flood. At the time, there seemed to be little hope for the four men inside. Serma was hopelessly pinned as the water reached his chin. The water stopped there and his life was spared. He was the only one of the four men fortunate enough to survive the incident. Through teary eyes, he recalls being the 'sole survivor.'

Olivera drove Serma to the jail himself. He did not inform the Green Beret he had gotten permission already to share the cell with him for the night. The jail administrator had never fielded such a request. Olivera said he knows Serma to be a good man and a soldier. The judge says it was important for Serma to know he is not alone. The judge wanted Serma to know he was there for him.

Green Beret Serma's mind was in a dark place when the door to his cell opened. It was then he saw Judge Olivera. Serma says he knew he would be alright from the moment he saw the judge. Serma says he respects the position of Judge Olivera but that night the judge was his buddy. He says the judge brought him back to North Carolina and he did not have to relive the moment in the truck again.

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