thedrifter
06-29-05, 07:06 AM
Marine in brig, accused of lying about roommate who's on the run
June 29,2005
ROSELEE PAPANDREA
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The former roommate of a Camp Lejeune Marine, who disappeared from the base prior to his court-martial on charges he killed another Marine in Afghanistan, is being held at the Lejeune brig on charges that include perjury.
Lance Cpl. Carlos Garcia-Gonzalez is under pretrial confinement, 2nd Marine Division spokesman 2nd Lt. Barry Edwards said Tuesday. Garcia-Gonzalez is also charged with making a false official statement.
A source familiar with the investigation said the charges are in connection to information about the desertion of Marine Pfc. Frederico Pimienta, who investigators say has now left the United States.
The charges allege that Garcia-Gonzalez knew Pimienta planned to leave Camp Lejeune prior to the start of his June 7 court-martial.
Garcia-Gonzalez told authorities that he last saw Pimienta in the barracks on June 6. He said he thought Pimienta was heading to his platoon's formation.
Officials with Naval Criminal Investigative Service confirmed Monday that Pimienta flew out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on June 5 and arrived at Heathrow International Airport in London on June 6, said Kevin Naylon, assistant special agent in charge of NCIS.
Pimienta's whereabouts are still unknown, but agents don't believe he returned to the United States, Naylon said.
"We didn't publicize that he left the country because we were hoping he would make a return flight," Naylon said.
Pimienta bought a round-trip ticket some time in May, and he was scheduled to return June 22, Naylon said.
"We had British law enforcement and an agent from our NCIS office in London at the airport prepared to arrest him if he had shown and obviously he didn't," Naylon said.
Meanwhile, Garcia-Gonzalez is waiting for his day in court.
Garcia-Gonzalez had already left on terminal leave on June 7 when authorities called him back so he could testify at Pimienta's court-martial.
"He woke up at 5:45 a.m., took a shower, got dressed and said, 'Later man,'" Garcia-Gonzalez testified. He indicated that Pimienta's actions were normal, and he said that he didn't know that his roommate was planning to leave Camp Lejeune.
NCIS is continuing to search for Pimienta, who was from Hillside, N.J., but was born in Uruguay. Agents received six tips after Pimienta, who is also known by the nickname "Pepper," was featured on the "15 Seconds of Shame" segment of "America's Most Wanted" Saturday.
But agents don't think any of the tips were accurate because they all placed Pimienta in the United States.
"We are not sure what the viewership is of 'America's Most Wanted' in Europe or overseas," Naylon said. "But we are hoping someone might have specific information as far as where he is."
Agents have checked airline and train registries but have been unable to track Pimienta after his arrival at Heathrow on June 6. They know he has two passports - one issued in the United States and the other in Uruguay - and that he purchased the ticket under his full name, which is Pimienta-Perdomo.
"There are a number of things that are ongoing and we will continue to pursue those until we locate him," Naylon said. "The case isn't going away and our interest isn't going away until he's in custody."
Russell White's family is anxious for authorities to find Pimienta so he can serve his sentence. Gregg White, Russell's father who lives in Dagsboro, Del., said family members were disappointed when they learned Pimienta had fled the country.
Pimienta shot Russell in the head with a 9 mm Beretta on June 20, 2004, at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul. Both Marines were in the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Pimienta, who was known for playing with his loaded gun, was supposed to be cleaning the weapon when the shooting took place. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
After talking with NCIS agents, Gregg White said he feels better about the possibility that Pimienta will be located.
"I have renewed hope, but all day Sunday I was thinking forget it they won't find him," Gregg White said.
The Whites are offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to Pimienta's arrest. Jacksonville/Onslow Crime Stoppers also is offering up to $2,500 for information.
Pimienta, who is Hispanic, is about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 212 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about him can contact NCIS at (910) 451-6539 or Crime Stoppers at (910) 938-3273. Callers do not have to reveal their identity.
Contact staff writer Roselee Papandrea at rpapandrea@freedomenc.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 238.
Ellie
June 29,2005
ROSELEE PAPANDREA
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The former roommate of a Camp Lejeune Marine, who disappeared from the base prior to his court-martial on charges he killed another Marine in Afghanistan, is being held at the Lejeune brig on charges that include perjury.
Lance Cpl. Carlos Garcia-Gonzalez is under pretrial confinement, 2nd Marine Division spokesman 2nd Lt. Barry Edwards said Tuesday. Garcia-Gonzalez is also charged with making a false official statement.
A source familiar with the investigation said the charges are in connection to information about the desertion of Marine Pfc. Frederico Pimienta, who investigators say has now left the United States.
The charges allege that Garcia-Gonzalez knew Pimienta planned to leave Camp Lejeune prior to the start of his June 7 court-martial.
Garcia-Gonzalez told authorities that he last saw Pimienta in the barracks on June 6. He said he thought Pimienta was heading to his platoon's formation.
Officials with Naval Criminal Investigative Service confirmed Monday that Pimienta flew out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on June 5 and arrived at Heathrow International Airport in London on June 6, said Kevin Naylon, assistant special agent in charge of NCIS.
Pimienta's whereabouts are still unknown, but agents don't believe he returned to the United States, Naylon said.
"We didn't publicize that he left the country because we were hoping he would make a return flight," Naylon said.
Pimienta bought a round-trip ticket some time in May, and he was scheduled to return June 22, Naylon said.
"We had British law enforcement and an agent from our NCIS office in London at the airport prepared to arrest him if he had shown and obviously he didn't," Naylon said.
Meanwhile, Garcia-Gonzalez is waiting for his day in court.
Garcia-Gonzalez had already left on terminal leave on June 7 when authorities called him back so he could testify at Pimienta's court-martial.
"He woke up at 5:45 a.m., took a shower, got dressed and said, 'Later man,'" Garcia-Gonzalez testified. He indicated that Pimienta's actions were normal, and he said that he didn't know that his roommate was planning to leave Camp Lejeune.
NCIS is continuing to search for Pimienta, who was from Hillside, N.J., but was born in Uruguay. Agents received six tips after Pimienta, who is also known by the nickname "Pepper," was featured on the "15 Seconds of Shame" segment of "America's Most Wanted" Saturday.
But agents don't think any of the tips were accurate because they all placed Pimienta in the United States.
"We are not sure what the viewership is of 'America's Most Wanted' in Europe or overseas," Naylon said. "But we are hoping someone might have specific information as far as where he is."
Agents have checked airline and train registries but have been unable to track Pimienta after his arrival at Heathrow on June 6. They know he has two passports - one issued in the United States and the other in Uruguay - and that he purchased the ticket under his full name, which is Pimienta-Perdomo.
"There are a number of things that are ongoing and we will continue to pursue those until we locate him," Naylon said. "The case isn't going away and our interest isn't going away until he's in custody."
Russell White's family is anxious for authorities to find Pimienta so he can serve his sentence. Gregg White, Russell's father who lives in Dagsboro, Del., said family members were disappointed when they learned Pimienta had fled the country.
Pimienta shot Russell in the head with a 9 mm Beretta on June 20, 2004, at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul. Both Marines were in the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Pimienta, who was known for playing with his loaded gun, was supposed to be cleaning the weapon when the shooting took place. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
After talking with NCIS agents, Gregg White said he feels better about the possibility that Pimienta will be located.
"I have renewed hope, but all day Sunday I was thinking forget it they won't find him," Gregg White said.
The Whites are offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to Pimienta's arrest. Jacksonville/Onslow Crime Stoppers also is offering up to $2,500 for information.
Pimienta, who is Hispanic, is about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 212 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about him can contact NCIS at (910) 451-6539 or Crime Stoppers at (910) 938-3273. Callers do not have to reveal their identity.
Contact staff writer Roselee Papandrea at rpapandrea@freedomenc.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 238.
Ellie