Heather Cerveny

“ I then started talking to a Sailor named Shawn. Shawn was the petty officer who worked in the mailroom for the detainees. Shawn is African-American, about 6'4", 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He said that his job included looking through and screening the detainee's mail. He was just finishing a year of service in Guantanamo Bay. I asked Shawn why it often takes 6 months or so for them to get their mail. Shawn replied that there is often a delay because the mailroom personnel have to look through everything and get it translated prior to the mail being forwarded to the detainees. ”

“ I am on active duty, currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. From 20-27 September 2006, I traveled to U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for official duties. I am currently assigned as the Regional Defense Counsel Chief for the Marine Corps' Western Region. I have also been assigned to serve as the paralegal for the Guantanamo Bay commissions case of United States v. Omar Khadr.
While at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, I often go to the fitness center on Marine Hill, where the Marine Barracks is located. ”

“ Shawn said there wouldn't really be a reason and it was not uncommon for them to withhold the mail of detainees until they, the mailroom clerks, decided to forward the mail.
In addition to the above incidents, about 5 others in the group admitted hitting detainees, to include "punching in the face."
From the whole conversation, I understood that striking detainees was a common practice. Everyone in the group laughed at the others stories of beating detainees. Most in were in early 20's. All except Shawn and Nicole were guards or escorts. Nicole was in intelligence. ”