Murphy Calls on USMC Commander to Drop Charges Against Special Forces Operators

Press Release

Today, Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) sent a letter to USMC Major General James F. Glynn urging him to drop manslaughter charges against two USMC special forces operators who were forced to defend themselves from a drunken aggressor while on deployment in December 2019. The full text of the letter can be read here.

In the letter, Rep. Murphy calls on Major General Glynn to review the politically motivated and unlawful conduct committed by the Marine Corps on this case and ultimately drop the remaining charges against Marine Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Draher and Marine Gunnery Sergeant Joshua Negron. Last year, Rep. Murphy led a successful congressional charge to the Secretary of Defense on behalf of a third special forces operator involved in the incident, Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet.

"After working on this case for the past year, I am confident that the evidence does not meet the charges that have been levied against these elite special forces operators," said Murphy. "All three MARSOC Raiders participated in a tragic but ultimately lawful act of self-defense, yet they have become the victims of a political agenda."

"I'm grateful that following my letter last year to the Secretary of Defense, that Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet's charges were dropped. I hope this achieved justice will signal Major General Glynn to observe the facts and come to the same conclusion about the remaining MARSOC Raiders. As a proud member of the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus and the representative of over 89,000 veterans in Eastern North Carolina, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our brave and patriotic servicemembers receive just and fair treatment under the law," Murphy concluded.

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