Anguilla native promoted by US Army and named deputy commander of Guantanamo prison

Anguilla native to be Gitmo jail deputy commander

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — A Caribbean native was promoted to brigadier general Friday and named deputy commander of the U.S. joint military task force that runs the prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay.

Army Brig. Gen. Timothy L. Lake said he decided to take his oath in the U.S. Virgin Islands because he lived here while growing up and wanted to inspire local children. Lake’s high school classmate, Judge Curtis Gomez, administered the oath.

Lake was born in the British Caribbean territory of Anguilla and graduated from North Carolina A&T State University. He served as battalion motor officer during Operation Desert Storm and returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands to serve as commander of the National Guard.

Lake will serve one year at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo. Two hundred and twenty-five inmates are being held at the prison that President Barack Obama has said he intends to close in January.