Breaking: Utah Marine (Hassoun) who went missing in Iraq charged with desertion

Salt Lake Trib ^ | 12/09/2004 03:57 PM | Derek P. Jensen

[Former Military Chick]

Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun of West Jordan, who has been the subject of a five-month investigation into his June disappearance from a U.S. military camp near Fallujah, Iraq, has been charged with desertion by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Hassoun, 24, will also be charged with loss of government property and theft of a military firearm for allegedly leaving his post still in possession of his 9mm handgun, as well as theft of wrongful appropriation of a government vehicle, according to officials at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Hassoun remains on duty at Camp Lejeune and has not been taken into custody.

Contacted Thursday afternoon, a Hassoun family member said he was "shocked" by the announcement.

Details about how the Utah Marine showed up in a purported hostage video before later appearing as a free man in Lebanon were not released.

If found guilty of desertion, Hassoun could face a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and five years confinement for each specification.

Hassoun will be assigned military defense counsel to represent him, and has the right to be represented by a civilian attorney of his choice at no expense to the United States.

[anonymoussierra]

"Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun of West Jordan, who has been the subject of a five-month investigation into his June disappearance from a U.S. military camp near Fallujah, Iraq, has been charged with desertion by the U.S. Marine Corps."That person "Wassef Ali Hassoun" is not good!!! What America strong persons "Marine" do to that person Thank you

[johnb838]

Shoot him.

[Former Military Chick]

First of all I did do a search but did not have the name in the aricle I added it so folks would know, but, did not search with it. Sorry. This thread does have at least a story and I am more than happy to update as news warrents.

Here is an article that discusses at the end what they found:

Marine who went missing in Iraq charged
During fighting last month in Fallujah, U.S. troops recovered Hassoun's personal belongings in a box on the third floor of a three-story commercial building. The property included an identification card, a uniform and a book.

Hassoun To Remain On Normal Duty For Now

[F16Fighter]

The real charge should have been TREASON.

[lonevoice]

I believe you're right. But, I still don't "get" why he isn't cooling his heels in the brig pending court martial.

[Prime Choice]

First of all I did do a search but did not have the name in the aricle I added it so folks would know, but, did not search with it. Sorry.

No sweat. Rest easy, FMC; it's not a duplicate post when the story is from a different source. The other one was Fox News. Yours was the Salt Lake Tribune. It's all good.

[johnb838]

Is this the guy that people were suspicious of because some guys from his unit had been found dead

If this is true, shoot him with an RPG. Or better yet, I have a dull fishing knife that could be used. I hear Saws-alls are real good for cutting bone.

[bushisdamanin04]

Same thing Alec just told me. Sorry ...

[mystery-ak]

Im glad they decided to do this, I think after Fallujah(sp) we all saw this coming...This *Marine* has a lot of explaning to do.

[johnb838]

I believe the penalty for desertion, particularly in a war zone, is death. Treason is a lesser offense, isn't it?

[TexKat]

On Fox, they mentioned finding some of his belongings in Fallujah, if I heard correctly. I wonder which side he's really on?

That was also mentioned last week when our guys started finding the chemicals and weapons.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Those of us whose gut instinct told us that Hassoun was a rat are vindicated.

Those pinheads who chastised us can eat crow.

[F16Fighter]

It could be easily be argued (though they wouldn't tell us for sure, would they?) that the Hassoun was indeed aiding and abetting the enemy...

That's treason.

[TexKat]

If this is true, shoot him with an RPG. Or better yet, I have a dull fishing knife that could be used. I hear Saws-alls are real good for cutting bone.

Take him to the bridge. You know the bridge, the green one.

[A.A. Cunningham]

You were given bad gouge.

I'd s***can that "source".

CPL HASSOUN VINDICATED! LIVED BY MARINE CORPS MOTTO: SEMPER FIDELIS! traitor

[oh8eleven]

...if the facts are true he does not deserve to wear the Marine Corp uniform.

You got that right. After he's found guilty the worst punishment they could
give him is to send him back to the Marines he deserted. Payback time.
Semper Fi ...

[processing please hold]

He's a Muslim. Just watch and listen for all the....it's only becaues he's a muslim, or he loves his country, islam is against....blah...blah...blah. Watch and see.

Why did he do it? The same reason the black muslim threw a grenade into the tent of his fellow Americans in Kuwait....he's a MUSLIM.

[Conservative Canuck]

Um, maybe they're hoping some of his ex-buddies will look after it?

[processing please hold]

He will become the lefts poster boy.