Judge Sentences Another Veteran to Prison, Then Joins Him in Cell to Show Support

A North Carolina judge showed an extraordinary act of compassion by siding with a veteran he had sentenced to prison. In 2016, Gulf War veteran Lou Olivera, who was also a district court judge and presided over the Veterans Treatment Court in Cumberland County, North Carolina, learned details about the military history of 'another veteran. Green Beret Joe Serna struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, triggered by a series of traumatic events in his life. He had served three tours in Afghanistan, earning two Purple Hearts for bravery, surviving an IED and a suicide bomber, and was the sole survivor after being trapped in a submerged vehicle with other soldiers.

“In the truck, I didn’t know I was going to make it,” Serna told PEOPLE. “I only had one option that night, and it wasn’t the right one. In the cell, I thought about it. » The veteran was initially arrested for drunk driving, and one of the conditions of his probation was that he could not consume alcohol for a predetermined period of time. He was later sentenced to one night in jail for violating his probation. After Serna was sentenced by Judge Olivera, he was transferred to a cell for the night. “He did his duty,” Serna said, “he condemned me. It was his job to hold me accountable. But what he did next… it seems like I’m making this up – and I’m not. »

After learning of Serna’s PTSD and claustrophobia, Judge Olivera surprised him by joining him in the cell. “I said, ‘Judge, what are you doing?’ He said, ‘We’re in the burrow together.’ They closed the door and locked it,” Serna said. “I said, ‘This is serious.’ He had the option to get out, but they locked the door.” Describing the moment, Serna admitted he felt at peace: “When he walked in, I knew everything was going to be okay.”

Olivera brought homemade meatloaf and a change of clothes, and the two spent the night sharing stories about their service, their families and their lives. Serna told CBS News that once Judge Olivera arrived, “the walls were no longer there. (…) He brought me back from a truck in Afghanistan to North Carolina. »

The next day, Olivera drove Serna home and stopped to buy donuts for her family. Empathy was second nature to the judge, who was keenly aware of what Serna had endured. “I knew what Joe was going through and I knew his story,” Judge Olivera said. “I knew he had to be held accountable, but I just knew… I had to go with him.” »

“I’m a judge and I’ve seen evil,” Olivera shared, “but I see humanity in people. Joe is a good man. Helping him helped me. I wanted him to know he’s not alone.” The pair’s interaction is a reminder to everyone of the importance of veterans’ mental and emotional health. “To other veterans: If you find yourself on the blacklist, you need to reach out,” Serna shared, “because someone has your six. Isolation is not the answer. Just reach out. Help is out there.” Speaking of the judge, Serna is forever grateful to him and his simple act of kindness. “I can’t even begin to describe the humanity,” he said. “Judge Olivera is an incredible man.”

Editor's note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2023. It has since been updated.