UNION-TRIBUNE, May 22, 2004

While world attention was focused on the scandal at Abu Ghraib prison, two Marines were court-martialed May 14 for abusing an Iraqi prisoner with electricity, it was disclosed yesterday.

Five more Marines have been implicated in the same early April incident at a Marine-run detention facility and might face charges, according to Marine officials in Iraq.

Andrew J. Sting and Jeremiah J. Trefney, both 19 and privates first class assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., pleaded guilty to charges that included cruelty and maltreatment for shocking an unruly prisoner, according to a Marine statement in response to questions from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The East Coast-based infantry battalion is attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which has headquarters in San Diego.

The prisoner had been detained at Al Mahmudiya prison.

Sting was sentenced to a year in jail and Trefney received eight months. Both were reduced in rank, will forfeit all pay and will leave the military with a bad conduct discharge.

According to information provided by the 1st MEF, here is what happened:

Sting, Trefney and three other Marines concocted a plan to shock a detainee with 110-volt electricity as he returned to his cell from the bathroom. The prisoner was targeted for punishment because he was loud and had thrown trash out of his cell.

"The Marines attached wires to a power converter and pressed the live wires against the body of the detainee to create a shock," according to the Marine statement.

An investigating officer has recommended court action against two of the three. There was no conclusive word on whether the third was cleared or received some form of administrative punishment.

Two other Marines could also face disciplinary action, the Marines said, although it's not clear what role the Marine Corps believes they played in the case.

About 25,000 Marines are assigned to the 1st MEF, which is responsible for occupying Anbar province. Of that number, roughly 19,000 are from either Camp Pendleton or Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Since March, the Marines have run eight detention centers with a combined population of about 300 prisoners, including common criminals and enemy insurgents.

The Marines said their guards are trained on the proper treatment and handling of enemy prisoners of war and on cultural sensitivity.

In addition, the Marines now in Iraq received a two-week training session on detention practices at March Reserve Air Force Base in Riverside.

The Marines said there are no other prisoner abuse investigations involving the service.