US Marines chief stood down over drink-driving

SYDNEY: The head of US Marines in Australia’s tropical north has been stood down “due to a loss of trust and confidence” after being charged with drink-driving, the military confirmed yesterday. Colonel James Schnelle was relieved of his command after telling his superiors he was “pulled over... by the Northern Territory Police for suspected driving under the influence” in the city of Darwin last month, a US Marine Corps spokesman told AFP. Darwin Local Court was told yesterday that Schnelle failed a random breath test in the early hours of September 30.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Schnelle was driving home from a restaurant and bar in Darwin at the time. “This is a man of very high character, he has no convictions anywhere in the world and has contributed immensely to society,” the national broadcaster quoted Schnelle’s lawyer as telling the court. “The US Marines are going to deal with him very harshly,” he said. The decorated officer was fined Aus$500 (US$353) for medium-range drink-driving and had his driving licence suspended for six months, a court official said. No conviction was recorded, she said. Schnelle said in a statement yesterday that his actions “should not overshadow” the achievements of the Marines’ deployment.

“I am personally responsible for the poor judgment exhibited... and concur with the subsequent relief,” he said, adding that he had “absolute respect” for Australian laws. Some 1,587 Marines are currently serving a six-month deployment in Darwin in an annual arrangement between long-time defense allies Washington and Canberra. The deployments, part of Washington’s strategic “rebalance” to the Asia-Pacific, come as Beijing flexes its economic and military muscles in the region.