User:James Branum/Daniel Sandate

Daniel Sandate was the second known U.S. soldier to be deported from Canada (after having fled there from the United States Army) to the United States when he was deported July 16, 2008 from Niagara Falls, Canada.

Previously Daniel Sandate had completed one deployment in Iraq. Upon return to the US, he allegedly was denied adequate physical and mental health care at Fort Carson. In frustration, he fled to Brampton, Ontario where he lived for over 2 years. After a failed suicide attempt and his arrest by the Canadian authorities, he was removed from Canada. Upon return to the US, he was placed into custody and was later court-martialed at Fort Carson and sentenced to an 8 month prison sentence.

Daniel Sandate was represented by James M. Branum (of Pine Ridge, Oklahoma), William Durland (of Colorado Springs, Colorado) and Captain Seth Cohen (U.S. Army Trial Defense Service). Long's principal sentencing arguments focused on Sandate's suffering from post traumatic stress disorder which was the result of his time in Iraq and his potential for rehabilitation upon release.

While in prison, Sandate released a written statement about his opposition to the war in Iraq. He was released on January 20, 2009 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and spoke publicly about his experience at a press conference in Oklahoma City on January 22, 2009 and at a peace march in Oklahoma City on March 22, 2009. Sandate is now living in Oklahoma City.

On or around March 22, 2009, Sandate wrote a statement to supporters in the United States and Canada asking for help to fight the pending deportation of Kimberly Rivera, a female U.S. soldier, from Canada. Sandate was interviewed by KOKH Fox 25 in May 2009. Sandate is now a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.