While Housed At Fort Pickett In Virginia, Afghan Evacuees Faced ‘Few Repercussions’ For Crimes Like Physical Abuse, Vehicle Theft

There were “few repercussions” for felonies and misdemeanors committed by Afghan evacuees at Fort Pickett in Virginia, examples of which include stealing a vehicle, physical abuse, and making weapons, according to a new report. 

The report, from the Inspector General, details various challenges faced at Fort Pickett which housed Afghan refugees during the mass evacuation of people from Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal from the country. 

Investigators note that there were many security issues during the initial housing process at the fort with a large influx of evacuees arriving, and that oftentimes, due to limited resources and jurisdictional issues, officials at the fort “had challenges with holding Afghan evacuees accountable for misdemeanors.” 
Another security issue entailed the fact that the fort had trouble “controlling unauthorized access to the joint operations area, where Afghan evacuees were located.” 

“TF Pickett security personnel stated that there had been several reported instances of theft, physical abuse of Afghan women and children, and other crimes by Afghan evacuees,” the report stated. “TF Pickett security personnel stated the TF Pickett military police had limited law enforcement authority over Afghan evacuees in the joint operations area.”

When crimes were reported at the fort, security personnel needed the Blackstone Police Department and Virginia State Police in Nottoway County to investigate and make arrests for crimes.