Lejeune gives up suspect

[thedrifter]

Lejeune gives up suspect
January 13,2004
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF

A New River Air Station Marine was charged with murder and turned over to civilian authorities Monday, military officials said.

Lance Cpl. Fanton D. Cummings, 27, was released to Greensboro police late Monday and was en route to Guilford County on warrants charging him with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary, an air station spokesman said. He was charged in connection to a Dec. 15.

Cummings, a vehicle driver originally from Greensboro, has been in the Camp Lejeune brig since Dec. 19 and has been questioned by Greensboro police investigating the slaying. No other details on the case were available Monday night.

Cummings was handed over to civilian authorities after he pleaded guilty in a summary court-martial to drug charges not related to the murder case. He was charged with distribution of a controlled substance, but he pleaded guilty to lesser charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to a New River Air Station press release.

At about 1 p.m. Monday, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 operations officer Maj. William Truax sentenced Cummings to 30 days confinement, reduction to the rank of private, forfeiture of all pay and allowance and a fine of $735 for one month.

His military imprisonment will be limited to time served and he will receive an administrative discharge from the Marine Corps, said New River Air Station public affairs officer Capt. Rob James.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agents began questioning Cummings on Dec. 19 and took him into custody at the request of the Greensboro police. The city of Greensboro has experienced a record 39 homicides this year, at least seven in December, two of which occurred on Dec. 15.

According to the Greensboro News and Record, one killing involved Anthony Graham of Martin Avenue, who was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

The second involved Larry L. Williams Jr. of West Meadowview Road, who was shot in the chest and died later that evening.

Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 236.


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