Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix, the Marine Drill Instructor who was arrested on charges of hazing related to the death of Marine Corps recruit Raheel Siddiqui, has had his arraignment date set, according to a Military Times report. According to Marine Corps Training and Education Command, Felix faces charges for cruelty and maltreatment, drunk and disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful general order and obstruction of justice.
Raheel Siddiqui was a Muslim recruit from Taylor, Michigan, who, according to Marine Corps reports, committed suicide by jumping off the third floor of his barracks during basic training. He had left college to pursue his dream of becoming a United States Marine and was at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island less than two weeks before he died. Widespread investigations into the incident showed that the recruit was heavily berated and assaulted by the drill instructors charged with training and protecting the recruits. This charges also include Felix slapping Siddiqui shortly before he fell to his death.
Three separate command investigations have occurred since Siddiqui died, with over twenty Marines identified to potentially have charges filed against them for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The public arraignment will be held on April 26th at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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