Ore. soldier pleads guilty in Afghan case

Published 1:34 pm Wednesday, January 5, 2011

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD — One of a dozen Washington state-based soldiers charged with misconduct in Afghanistan has pleaded guilty.

Cpl. Emmitt Quintal, of Weston, Ore., was accused of drug use and beating up another soldier who was a witness in a drug investigation. Five other soldiers are charged with murdering Afghan civilians and are awaiting trials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports that the 22-year-old reached a plea deal at his court martial Tuesday and could spend up to a year in prison. His ultimate sentence will be determined by the judge, Lt. Col. Kwaski Hawks.