Two dozen Marines have been less-than-honorably discharged as a result of human trafficking and drug-related offenses. They were arrested during battalion formation at Camp Pendleton on July 25, 2019, accused of illegal activities. In an update Saturday, Camp Pendleton confirmed that nine out of the 24 Marines were sent to court-martial. Eight of those Marines who faced trial pleaded guilty and have since been dismissed from the Marine Corps under less-than-honorable discharges, including two bad conduct charges, according to Kendra Motz, a spokesperson for Camp Pendleton. One of the Marines, with a bad conduct charge, has been confined to the brig for 18 months, Motz said. The other Marine is pending general court martial, Motz said. The 15 remaining Marines charged with lesser offenses have also been dismissed from service with less-than-honorable discharges.
Camp Pendleton released the following statement:
“We have a duty to the American people to be the most ready when the nation is least ready, and we will continue to enforce the standards of honor, courage, and commitment that serve as the great hallmarks of our Corps.”
