What he did then: CIA contract employee, Afghanistan

Where is he now: Defendant, United States v. Passaro, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Reported involvement: Passaro, a former Army Ranger, was hired by the CIA to support U.S. military personnel at a small base near the town of Asadabad in Afghanistan. On June 18, 2003, a local Afghan named Abdul Wali surrendered voluntarily to U.S. personnel at the front gate of the base. According to his indictment, while interrogating Wali over the next two days Passaro repeatedly beat him with his hands and a large flashlight, leading to Wali's death in his cell on June 21. Passaro has been charged under a provision of the USA Patriot Act that potentially extends the criminal jurisdiction of U.S. courts to any American military or diplomatic facility anywhere in the world.

Punishment: Passaro faces two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Photograph of David Passaro courtesy AFP.