Camp Anaconda Looks For Porta John Arsonists

Latrine arsonist on the lam at Camp Anaconda
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, May 14, 2008



There are all kinds of "evildoers" in Iraq, and military officials are seeking to put an end to a rather unusual one.

According to messages posted in a military newspaper for Camp Anaconda, near Balad, Army authorities are seeking the "Porta-John Arsonist," the person responsible for torching at least four of the portable latrines since the beginning of April.

The fires — in various housing pods of the base — caused an estimated damage of $4,000, officials said. No injuries were reported in the incidents.

But according to what amounts to a "wanted" ad posted in a base newspaper from Iraq, arson where the value of destroyed property exceeds $500 has a maximum punishment of five years in prison, along with a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay.

Included is a warning for any apparent witnesses to the fires: "Failure to report a crime is punishable under Article 92 of the UCMJ and has a maximum punishment of bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 6 months."

"Don’t let this juvenile prank ruin your career," read the warning in the Anaconda Times.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54780