CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- A Marine sniper has been charged at Camp Pendleton with two counts of voluntary manslaughter in the shootings deaths of two civilians in Iraq.
Sgt. John Winnick faces additional charges of aggravated assault against two other civilians and failing to adhere to the military’s rules of engagement.
The charges allege Winnick killed the civilians in June of 2007 near Lake Tharthar in Iraq’s western Anbar province.
The charges also allege he fired at two others without first identifying whether any of the civilians posed a threat.
Winnick is a member of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division based at Camp Pendleton.
The charges carry a maximum 40-year sentence and a dishonorable discharge.
