JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -The Special Court-Martial case of U.S. vs. Cpl. Emmitt R. Quintal began at 9 a.m. this morning. Quintal is one of seven 5th Stryker Brigade Soldiers facing charges of serious misconduct while deployed in Afghanistan and is the second to face a Court-Martial.   

Cpl. Quintal's case was referred to a Special Court-Martial after the General Court-Martial Convening Authority reviewed the charges and evidence against Cpl. Quintal, and the recommendation of the Staff Judge Advocate. 

Charges against Cpl. Quintal include:

• One specification of conspiracy to commit assault and battery, UCMJ Article 81
• One specification of unlawfully striking another Soldier, Article 128
• One specification of wrongfully using a schedule I controlled substance, UCMJ Article 112a
• One specification of wrongfully endeavoring to impede an investigation, UCMJ Article 134
• One specification of violating a general order, UCMJ Article 92

If convicted of all charges (and specifications), the maximum punishment Cpl. Quintal faces under Special Court-Martial sentencing is a Bad Conduct Discharge, confinement for up to twelve months, reduction in pay grade to E-1 (enlisted members only) and forfeiture of 2/3 base pay per month for a period of twelve months and/or an equivalent fine.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials emphasize that the charges are merely an accusation and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.