Tuesday, June 13, 2006 · Last updated 2:51 p.m. PT
AWOL soldier returns to Fort Lewis
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EUGENE, Ore. -- After deserting her Army unit in January to avoid a second tour of duty in Iraq, Eugene solider Suzanne Nicole Swift was to be returned to Fort Lewis, Wash. Tuesday.
Eugene police arrested Swift, a 21-year old specialist with a military police unit, Sunday at her mother's house. According to Eugene police spokesman Sgt. Rich Stronach, Swift was taken to the Lane County Jail, where she was expected to be handed over to military police and returned to the Army base near Tacoma.
Fort Lewis Army spokesman Joe Hitt confirmed that Swift would be returned but declined to elaborate. He said that her company commander will determine the punishment and that no decision had been made.
Swift's mother, Sara Rich, said her daughter was packed and ready to leave. But just days before the redeployment she had her car keys in hand and broke down.
"She turned to me in the kitchen and said, `I can't go back there.' I said, `Good, don't do it,' " Rich said.
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