Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Monroe Marine kicked out of Corps for videotaped puppy tossing incident

Actions of USMC Lance Cpl. David Motari and another Marine caused international uproar

By Justin Arnold and Yoshiaki Nohara
Herald writers

 HONOLULU, HI – A Marine from Monroe is being tossed out of the service as punishment for his role in a video that showed him throwing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. David Motari, 22, of Monroe, a veteran of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, is being discharged from the Marine Corps as a result of an investigation into the incident, Maj. Chris Perrine of Marine Corps Base Hawaii said Wednesday evening. Motari's unit is based in Hawaii.

The 17-second video video showing Motari throwing the puppy went viral on the Internet March 3, and led to international headlines and death threats to Motari's family in Monroe. Reached at her home Wednesday, Motari's mother declined comment.

While it was careful for three months not to publicly confirm Motari's identity as the puppy thrower, the Marine Corps on Wednesday not only named him, but also deplored his conduct.

"The Marine Corps conducted a thorough investigation as soon as it learned of the event and acted as swiftly as possible," a statement said. "The actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated. The vast majority of Marines conduct their duties with honor and compassion that makes American people proud."

The video was broadcast on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Countless people posted their opinions about the video online. Internet-fueled rage quickly turned into death threats against the Marine’s family. Many even called his mother’s workplace in Monroe, demanding that she be fired.

The controversy highlighted a new and growing problem for the U.S. military. Young tech-savvy warriors who head into combat zones abroad have begun posting raw, disturbing images on the Internet, without knowing how easily they can stir outrage or hurt others, including loved ones in the states. The military is scrambling to control the risk.

Motari has received a non-judicial form of punishment and is currently being processed for separation from the Marine Corps for his role in the video.

Results of non-judicial punishments cannot be released under the Privacy Act.

One other Marine has been disciplined as a result of the video. Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion has also received a form of non-judicial punishment.

Here is the statement released Wednesday by Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Marines in puppy video disciplined

Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oahu – The Marine Corps has disciplined two Marines for their involvement in a video that showed a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

Lance Corporal David Motari received Non-Judicial Punishment from the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment and is being processed for separation from the Marine Corps for his role in the episode, which gained international attention March 3 after the video was posted on the Internet.

Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, also received Non-Judicial Punishment.
The results of Non-Judicial Punishment are not releasable according to the Privacy Act.

The Marine Corps conducted a thorough investigation as soon as it learned of the event and acted as swiftly as possible. The actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated.

The vast majority of Marines conduct their duties with honor and compassion that makes American people proud.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA