ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 30, 1996 TAG: 9612300037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: QUANTICO
SOURCE: Associated Press
A BASE SPOKESWOMAN said there was no indication that drugs were given to prisoners, however.
An investigation into drug use by guards at Quantico Marine Corps Base brig has led to criminal charges against 11 Marines in the base's security battalion, a spokeswoman for the service said Friday.
The probe began in June when a guard in an alcohol treatment program admitted that he used drugs. He then began accusing other brig personnel of using marijuana and LSD.
The 11 Marines, eight of whom worked as guards or support personnel at the brig, were immediately removed from duty when the probe began, said base spokeswoman Maj. Paula Buckley.
Two more Marines are under scrutiny by the Corps' criminal investigation division but have not been charged, she said.
The base security battalion is made up of two companies: the 110-member brig unit; and the headquarters and service company, which includes military police and 911 operators.
The guard who informed on the others has been identified as Lance Cpl. Michael A. Waters. He faced marijuana and LSD charges and was punished by a reduction in rank from lance corporal to private and the forfeiture of $1,000 in pay over two months.
Three guards already have been convicted by courts-martial and are serving sentences in the brig, Buckley said.
Lance Cpl. Michael J. Hawkins was sentenced to 16 months, Lance Cpl. Michael B. Perry received nine months and Cpl. Crist D. Pugh got 90 days. They all were given bad-conduct discharges, which still have to be reviewed.
The other seven Marines who have been charged with drug offenses are: Lance Cpl. Gerald D. Brumley, Pfc. Javis M. Dortch, Lance Cpl. Brian T. Grimm, Lance Cpl. Thomas M. Haney, Lance Cpl. Garrik R. Pappas, Lance Cpl. James F. Plummer Jr. and Cpl. Jeremy William.
None of them has appeared before a court-martial.
``This is an isolated incident. It is not at all indicative of Marines in general or Marines in Quantico,'' Buckley said. ``There was no indication of drugs either being given to prisoners or introduced into the facility.''
The 150-bed prison at the base is the armed forces' Northeast regional brig. The brig houses prisoners serving terms of up to five years.
According to the Washington Times, one Marine said a fellow guard would show up for work under the influence of marijuana.
``I looked at his eyes and they were bloodshot and yellow-looking,'' he was quoted as saying in a story published Friday. ``He told me that he used marijuana so much that if he came in sober, people would wonder what was wrong with him.''
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB