U.S. Army Private Travis King has pleaded guilty to desertion and five other charges, including assault on a noncommissioned officer, and has been sentenced to 12 months of confinement, a demotion to the lowest enlisted rank, and a dishonorable discharge. Due to time already served and credit for good behavior, King has been released. King initially faced 14 charges but pleaded guilty to five as part of a plea deal that led to the dismissal of the remaining charges. King fled to North Korea in July 2023 after skipping a flight back to the U.S. following detention in South Korea for assault. He was expelled by North Korea after two months and returned to U.S. custody in September 2023. King's legal team highlighted his difficult upbringing and mental health struggles as factors in his actions.