A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier this morning pleaded guilty to five charges of misconduct, giving the Army its second conviction in its investigation into war crimes committed by Stryker soldiers on a recent deployment to Afghanistan.
Spc. Emmitt Quintal, 22, could spend a year in prison for joining an assault on a private who raised concerns about drug use in their platoon, smoking hashish during their deployment and possessing photos of Afghan casualties.
He has reached a plea agreement, but Army judge Lt Col Kwaski Hawks will determine Quintal's sentence. Hawks also can dismiss charges and has indicated he might drop one related to the assault.
Quintal is one of 12 soldiers from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division accused of wrongdoing at Forward Operating Base Ramrod. Five are accused of murdering Afghan civilians and are awaiting trials at Lewis-McChord.
Quintal appeared to regret his role in assaulting Pfc. Justin Stoner on May 5 after Stoner raised concerns about drug use in their platoon.
Quintal said he was angry at Stoner and felt his military career was in jeopardy because he had been smoking hashish at Ramrod since the previous fall.
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