Marine takes plea deal in Iraq war trophy case

Marine takes plea deal in Iraq war trophy case
By Chelsea J. Carter - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jun 3, 2008 8:27:57 EDT

SAN DIEGO — A Marine sergeant accused of bringing an AK47 assault rifle home from Iraq as a war trophy accepted a plea deal Monday that will keep him out of federal prison.

Sgt. Leonardo San Juan agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of possession of an unregistered firearm and pay a $100 fine, said his attorney, Joseph Low.

San Juan accepted the deal shortly before jury selection was set to begin. A judge still must approve the deal.

San Juan was accused of bringing the AK47 back with him more than two years ago from Iraq, according to a grand jury indictment filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego.

“If you believe the allegation, all it is is a war trophy,” Low said. “It’s not like he went out and committed a crime, shot it or had ammo in it.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_wartrophy_060208/