PORT ROYAL, SC— Paul Archie, former Depot Sergeant Major at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region Parris Island, SC is no longer the subject of a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. Archie was charged in June in the aftermath of an altercation with a protestor outside the main gate of the base.
The incident occurred on June 6th when Ethan Arguello, a former Marine Corps drill instructor was protesting a decision by President Barack Obama. That decision was to exchange Sergeant Bo Bergdahl, held captive by the Taliban for five Taliban commanders held in a U.S. military prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The encounter took place in the presence of a Port Royal police officer and was partially captured on camera by a crew from WTOC TV, Channel 11, a CBS affiliate.
Arguello was wearing a campaign cover while protesting. A campaign cover is a distinctive hat worn by Marine Corps drill instructors. Archie had approached Arguello over complaints of misuse of the campaign cover.
The Port Royal Police Department filed the charges the next morning at the behest of Arguello. Archie voluntarily turned himself in and was booked. Later, Arguello told the Marine Corps Times that he was considering withdrawing the charges.
There is no indication that Arguello followed through with his stated intent to withdraw the charges. Archie’s defense team submitted a motion to dismiss the charges and Tabor Vaux, a Port Royal municipal prosecutor agreed.
According to attorney Jeffrey Stephens, the video and incident report showed that Archie’s actions did not meet any of the necessary elements to support a conviction. A Port Royal municipal judge granted the dismissal.
“I am glad to see that justice has been done in this case”, said Stephens. “We are glad that (Port Royal municipal) Judge (Jim) Grimsley agreed with us. We are sorry that the delay impacted SgtMaj Archie’s career the way that it did.”
Stephens added, “I truly believe that all defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence from the beginning and am very disappointed that SgtMaj Archie did not receive that consideration from the Marine Corps, instead getting relieved prematurely. He is now vindicated.”
Stephens added that he, along with Mary Fran Quindlen represented Archie pro bono and joined his lead defense attorneys because they felt strongly that Archie had received poor treatment from both the Port Royal police and the Marine Corps.
Once he was charged, Archie resigned his post. The Marine Corps’ official statement was “…understanding the Marine Corps has very high standards of personal and professional conduct for its most senior leaders, Sgt. Maj. Archie voluntarily stepped down as the depot sergeant major, and the commanding general regrettably accepted his retirement.”
However, the Marine Corps official statement lacked context. Widespread coverage of the incident and reaction on social media prompted BGen Lori Reynolds, the commanding general at Parris Island and top leadership at Headquarters Marine Corps to act quickly. They moved to relieve Archie or demand his retirement.
The decision was not without controversy and met with widespread disapproval on social media from Marines or former Marines who served with Archie. Many asked why the Corps would relieve a highly decorated and experienced Marine such as Archie before all facts were known via the judicial process.
Jason Gagnon of Hartville, OH served with Archie on recruiting duty and condemned “…hasty decisions” of Reynolds and generals senior to her, adding that he regarded Archie as a mentor. He went on to say that Archie was doing exactly as expected of a Marine in his position by correcting to a high standard and that Arguello as a former drill instructor himself should have understood that.
It is worth noting that Arguello had contacted Archie prior to the incident and discussed it with him. Archie at that time had invited Arguello aboard the base and privately urged Arguello to not protest wearing the cover.
Gagnon said that Archie “has always been there for me and always done the right thing in my eyes. He would do the right thing for any Marine, even the former Marine who was out there protesting”.
Reynolds gave one interview on camera and avoided comment elsewhere, choosing to communicate through official statements issued by her public affairs officer.
SgtMaj Paul Archie has now retired from the Marine Corps, effective September 30.
Questions regarding his legal defense can be referred to Jeffrey Stephens or Mary Fran Quindlen at Quindlen Law Firm, P.A. Additional background information requests are coordinated through Triumph Business Communications at jchittenden@publictriumph.com .
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