Posted on 06/05/2013 8:57:37 AM PDT by Deadeye Division
Probation for Marine in Wapak Democratic Party vandalism
Posted: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 6:13 pm | Updated: 10:15 pm, Tue Jun 4, 2013.
By GREG SOWINSKI 419-993-2090 gsowinski@limanews.com
WAPAKONETA A young Marine has learned a long and inconvenient lesson courtesy of a night of drinking that led to a criminal case that finally ended Tuesday.
John Martens, 22, was placed on one year probation, ordered to pay $500 restitution and fined $100 for damage caused to the Democratic headquarters in Wapakoneta by punching out a window during an alcohol-related incident.
Martens appeared in Auglaize County Municipal Court on Tuesday to be sentenced on the charge of misdemeanor criminal damaging. He flew in from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina the night before on his own dime to receive his punishment.
Dressed in his service uniform, Martens had little to say to Judge Gary Herman, who lectured him about the ills of drinking.
You should never put yourself in a position you and your choices are changed by alcohol and who you are, are changed by alcohol, Herman said.
He told Martens he understood the various aspects of alcohol, which has led many people to get in trouble, including other Marines, but said it should serve as a lesson to drink in moderation and maintain control of oneself.
You put yourself through a lot of grief because of what happened that night, the judge said.
The judge also warned Martens should he get in future trouble, he could face up to 90 days in jail. Martens also may have an obligation to pay the total cost of damages, which was reported at $1,400. The insurance company paid the other $900, Herman said.
Martens punched out a window at the Democratic Headquarters at Auglaize and Perry streets on July 29. Police reported he was drinking at a nearby bar and left on foot.
Martens cut himself and left blood on the window glass. Martens told people they had no idea what he had witnessed while on duty in Afghanistan, police reported.
A police officer reported hearing Martens make comments about a Muslim, possibly referring to President Barack Obama, who some say is a Muslim. The president denies he is a Muslim.
A drunken Marine punches out a window?
Okay, three nights in the brig and forfeiture of a week’s pay.
Big effing deal.
Or when you want someone to step up and put his life on the line to save you from nasty terrorists, you can go f*** yourself.
The most interesting part of the article seems to be the final sentence.
“A police officer reported hearing Martens make comments about a Muslim, possibly referring to President Barack Obama, who some say is a Muslim. The president denies he is a Muslim.”
Oh, OK.
Possibly this Marine is getting a bit tired of fighting under a Commander in Chief who sides with the enemy? Just my speculation. Nothing that this guy said in an incautious moment. I don’t know nuttin’.
Yes, I like your way better.
He obviously didn’t learn the Democrat Lesson - which is “Don’t get caught”...
Where can folks send money to the Marine?
Any anti-Obamadork Marine is a real man.
If you find out, let me know.
I’d give him fifty bucks just for busting that window.
A police officer reported hearing Martens make comments about a Muslim, possibly referring to President Barack Obama, who some say is a Muslim. The president denies he is a Muslim.
!.2 BILLION muslims in the world, and you MF’ers of the MSM think it’s “possible” that the muslim he was referring to is Obama? Nice attempt at a smear, scumbags!/s
We do train, encourage and pay Marines to take out the enemies of freedom including their bases. Arguably this Marine was operating without orders but his heart (and fist) was in the right place.
You should never put yourself in a position you and your choices are changed by alcohol and who you are, are changed by alcohol, Herman said.
***
If this is what the judge actually said, perhaps he had downed a few himself....
Seriously, though, maybe we can take up a FReeper collection for this Marine.
I understand Martens wanted to change his guilty plea to criminal damaging last month, a second-degree misdemeanor, but his request to withdraw his guilty plea was denied by the judge.
I am in the process of trying to get some info about helping this Marine out a little with the expenses. I’ll get back to you if I get the information.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.