Jailed! Elite Soldier Needs Funds for Legal Help

Madison, US | Legal

Sgt. Mark Harrod, 82nd Airborne, an elite Army Combat Paratrooper, just 33 years old, was arrested in December, 2017, after 11 years of combat duty (2003-2011). He was apparently caught (unwittingly) in the middle of his wife allegedly having a long-term affair and still wanting to keep his family together, especially for his children's sake. He is being held on $50,000 cash-only bail in Sauk County, Wisconsin.

His wife reported to local authorities that his daughter (he has two children) was being abused and filled out an arrest application along with her "friend." Without anyone questioning Sgt. Harrod, his wife was given advance notice that the police were going to pull him out of his bed on a cold December, 2017 morning to arrest him as she sat out in the car with the family dog--watching this dedicated, elite soldier--already being treated at the VA for PTSD and other combat stressors--being dragged out in his skivvies.

The police notified her, per her account, that they would be back the next day to collect "evidence" of the abuse. Interestingly enough, DNA was then found on several things, even the girl's skin, which elicited a gigantic "Hmmm" from those who heard this and who know Sgt. Harrod.

It is alleged, that Sgt. Harrod was simply an inconvenience. Divorcing him while in jail just weeks after his arrest, with no attorney to represent him (civil court does not allow for public defenders), all of his earthly possessions and veteran's benefits as well were given to the wife. He was left with his clothes and an empty (literally) wallet that were turned over to his mother, months later, after the wife moved out of their family home.

July, 2018. Prior to his court hearing to enter a "Not Guilty" plea in the criminal court, Sgt. Harrod was allegedly offered a plea deal: IF he pleaded guilty--without a trial or any process or any evaluation of his war and combat affectations--he would be immediately remanded to prison. THEN he would be evaluated for his level of PTSD and other side effects of combat, "victim" testimony would then be given in front of the judge and THEN the judge would tell Sgt. Harrod how many years he would be sentenced to in prison! This is the complete inverse of how the justice system should work. (His wife was pushing the prosecutors for at least 15 years in prison. The "victim" is missing her daddy and wanting him to come home, maybe after just a hospital stay to recover from combat.")

August, 2018, with Sgt. Harrod's hard-won benefits, the wife is buying a home with her lover, is pregnant and planning a wedding. Sgt. Harrod was deemed a sexual offender in the divorce--without any examination, criminal trial, or due process. He was basically hung up to dry--without even representation! He cannot see his children nor contact them, not even his son, and if convicted criminally, is facing twenty years in prison and life-time registration as a sex offender.

A prominent, very smart attorney and firm has agreed to take Sgt. Harrod's case and has discounted their fees substantially but it is still more than the zero left in his bank account. They have been to see him several times, have gotten his history and followed the case but will not enter an appearance and cannot hire the very much needed expert doctors--or investigator--to evaluate him and look into the fraud perpetrated against him--without funding. In addition, there will be court costs like transcripts and filing fees.

It may be possible to invalidate or reverse the divorce proceedings as well--not the ending of the marriage part but the financial wipe-out and the severing of the children's relationship in Sgt. Harrod's life and the determination of him as an offender. This will all be covered by the same firm. It will throw a wrench into the ex-wife's plans and may be the bargaining chip that frees this man who served his country in dangerous situations for 11 years, only to come back to a plot worthy of a crime novel.

Please help Sgt. Mark Harrod. Leave no man (or woman) behind--on the battlefield of war or on the battlefield of life.

This is a case of constitutional law violations--people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sgt. Harrod has been treated as if, and pronounced, guilty in family court without so much as an exam, a hearing, having an attorney to represent him, or even a voice. It is the least we can do is to stand with this veteran and say, "Thank you for your service. We do care." (Compassionate people from all over the world are welcome to help Sgt. Harrod.)

For more information about how to write to Sgt. Harrod, put money on his commissary account, etc., please send an brief or "Hello" email to: [email protected]. In the auto-reply, all of the information, instructions and links will automatically come back to you so be sure to read it. This link however, will be the only legal fund collection site.

All donors will be sent updates on the case as well as kept up-to-date on court dates and will receive custom designed "swag" corresponding to certain giving levels, which will be sent out within 3-4 weeks of your gift. Stay tuned for the cool logo that is being designed. It should be posted soon.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

[email protected] send email for info and links of how to write to Sgt. Harrod and to put money on his commissary (desperately needed--mail and funds!)

Help Sgt. Mark Harrod.
Thank you.

Your life will be blessed.