Charges dropped against Marine Corps Sgt. Major accused of assault

PARRIS ISLAND (WTOC) - The 3rd degree assault and battery charges against former Parris Island Marine Corps Sergeant Major Paul Archie have been dropped.

According to Archie's lawyer and court records, the charges were dropped because of lack of evidence.

Earlier this year, Archie got into an argument with Ethan Arguello, a former Marine, because Arguello was wearing a drill instructor's hat while protesting in front of Parris Island. The hat is only supposed to be worn by current drill instructors.

During the argument, Archie snatched the hat off of Arguello's head and left.

Archie's lawyer said the same video that got him into hot water, was the same evidence used to clear him of any wrongdoing.

“It was watching that video that caused the officer to charge Sgt. Major Archie and it's watching that video frame by frame that caused the attorneys involved in the case to agree that it didn't meet the elements. I was very disappointed that the he didn't get that presumption of innocence from the Marine Corps and it cost him the rest of his career," Archie's lawyer Jeffrey Stephens said.

All charges against Archie were dropped last Friday due to lack of evidence that Archie meant to hurt Arguello.

WTOC has reached out to both Archie and Arguello for comment, but neither have gotten back. Archie's lawyer said he has retired and is now working in Chicago.

Archie retired from the Marine Corps in September.

Copyright 2014 WTOC. All rights reserved.

Charges dropped against Marine Corps Sgt. Major accused of assault

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