Army Private Travis King, who fled to North Korea, is facing charges of desertion and possessing sexual images of a child. His attorney, Franklin D. Rosenblatt, indicated that negotiations are underway with military prosecutors to settle the case. A preliminary hearing in Fort Bliss, Texas, was postponed to allow both parties to discuss a potential resolution without the need for a hearing.
King made headlines in July 2023 when he crossed the heavily guarded border from South Korea to North Korea, where he was detained. He was later expelled and returned to the United States. Upon his return, he was charged with desertion and various other offenses, including assaulting officers, possessing alcohol unlawfully, making false statements, and having inappropriate material involving a child.
His mother, Claudine Gates, expressed her unwavering support for King, stating her concerns about his mental health. She emphasized that the behaviors he is accused of, such as possessing child pornography, are out of character for the son she knows and loves. Gates believes something may have happened to King during his deployment that led to the troubling accusations against him.
