 In 2005, he went absence without leave (AWOL) for 19 months and then, in 2006, turned himself in to his unit.With support of Cindy Sheehan's group, he returned to Fort Hood to face court-martial.Wilkerson was convicted and sentenced to seven months in military prison with a Bad Conduct Discharge for violations of Article 85 (desertion) and an Article 87 (missing movement).