Tustin : Marine in Espionage Case Returns to Work

Sgt. John J. Weirick, who was released from the Camp Pendleton brig after being held for six weeks on suspicion of espionage, returned to work Thursday at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, military officials said.

Weirick worked a 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. shift in the maintenance control section of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, said Staff Sgt. James Hager, a base spokesman. The squadron’s mechanics work mostly on CH-53 helicopters.

Weirick’s return to duty went smoothly, Hager said, adding that his current job--writing up service and parts orders and documenting flight hours--is a normal assignment for helicopter mechanics.

Weirick, 26, had been accused of spying while assigned to guard duty at the American consulate in Leningrad in 1981 and 1982. He was arrested at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in April and confined to the brig at Camp Pendleton, but the Marine Corps released him Wednesday because the military statute of limitations for the alleged crimes had expired.

The Marine Corps announced that it will seek to discharge Weirick, however, and will refer his case to the Justice Department for possible civilian prosecution.

Under federal law, the statute of limitations for espionage is five years, while it is only three years under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.