Top US commander in Australia caught drink-driving in Darwin and stood down
The decorated officer was fined and had his driving licence suspended for six months with no conviction recorded
The head of US Marines in Australia’s tropical north has been stood down “due to a loss of trust and confidence” after being charged with drink-driving, the military confirmed on Monday.
Colonel James Schnelle was relieved of his command after telling his superiors he was “pulled over … by the Northern Territory Police for suspected driving under the influence” in the city of Darwin last month, a US Marine Corps spokesman told AFP.
Darwin Local Court was told Monday that Schnelle failed a random breath test in the early hours of September 30.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Schnelle was driving home from a restaurant and bar in Darwin at the time.
“This is a man of very high character, he has no convictions anywhere in the world and has contributed immensely to society,” the national broadcaster quoted Schnelle’s lawyer as telling the court.