Judge Lou Olivera Spends The Night In Jail With A Decorated Veteran Joe Serna For Breaking Probation

Judge Lou Olivera and a war veteran Joe Serna

Why judge Lou Olivera spent the night in jail with Joe Serna

When Joe Serna was arrested for drinking and driving, one of the terms of his probation was that he would not consume alcohol for a predetermined amount of time. However, after lying on a urine test, Joe was brought back to the courtroom, this time in front of Judge Lou Olivera. Judge Olivera felt he had no choice but to sentence Joe to a night in jail for breaking probation, a sentence which was carried out.

Joe is a decorated veteran who served three terms in Afghanistan and has two purple hearts to show for his bravery. This Green Beret survived an IED and a suicide bomber, as well as a terrifying experience getting trapped in a sinking truck with his fellow soldiers and Joe was the only soldier to make it out of the truck alive.

While following a creek, the road gave way, causing the truck Joe and his men were in to be submerged underwater. Unable to move, Joe was trapped in place and forced to feel the water rise up his legs, his torso, and his neck. Finally, it stopped at his chin.

Considering this terrifying brush with death, as well as his other horrifying experience in the war, Joe suffers from PTSD. One of his triggers, which he blames on the sinking truck, is a fear of small, confined space such as a jail cell.

So when Judge Olivera sentenced Joe to a night in jail, he was sending this war vet to one of his very worst fears.

Moments after Joe was locked away for his night in prison, he was surprised by Judge Olivera, who came to stay the entire night with the man he had sent to jail. With a loaf of homemade meatloaf and a change of clothes, the judge accompanied Joe through the night, talking with him about their families and their lives.

Joe said that with Judge Olivera there, “the walls were no longer there.” His anxiety and fear melted away, and he was able to have a genuine conversation with this wonderful person.

After this night in jail, Joe promised Judge Olivera that there would be no more screw-ups. This might not be the usual way the law works, but this act of connecting and compassion was exactly what this brave veteran needed.

Luckily, he was surrounded by a supportive wife, good friends, and effective wounded warrior programs that convinced him to seek and get the help he needed. The mental wounds proved far-reaching and had a negative impact on his life. It was just as important to get help with the healing of those wounds as it was with the physical wounds.

Joe felt a need to give back and help others as he was helped. Over the last few years, he has volunteered his time as a guest speaker, mentor, and friend in an effort to convince others who are struggling to come forward and seek help. Joe also supports, with time and money, multiple non-profit organizations that are involved in supporting service members.

Personally, he is currently residing in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, North Carolina area with his wife, and is the proud father of 7 children who range from newborn to a college student. Joe accepted medical retirement and is currently completing his double majors in Business and Accounting at Methodist University.

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