Prosecutor Says Marine Spied for Love, Justice

Marine Sgt. Clayton Lonetree betrayed his country because he loved a Soviet woman and wanted to avenge the government’s treatment of American Indians, a military prosecutor said today.

“In his statements, he admits what is obvious--that he was helping the Soviet Union,” Marine Maj. David L. Beck said in opening arguments at Lonetree’s espionage court-martial.

“The accused gave away documents and vital information important to our intelligence and our national defense interests,” Beck said after beginning the government’s case by reciting Lonetree’s oath to defend the United States.

Lonetree, the first Marine to be tried for espionage, is accused of revealing the identities of CIA agents and embassy floor plans to the KGB during his stint as a U.S. Embassy guard in Moscow.

He faces 13 counts and, if convicted, could spend life in prison.

Defense attorney Michael Stuhff described Lonetree, 25, of St. Paul, Minn., as a patriot who gave nothing of value to the Soviets. He said Lonetree wanted to become a double agent.

Lonetree’s mistake, Stuhff said, was that he tried to take on the KGB single-handedly, dealing with a man named Sasha, who prosecutors say is a KGB agent.

“Sgt. Lonetree did not compromise his oath,” Stuhff said in his opening statement. “He made a mistake. He tried to take on the KGB.”

Stuhff even questioned whether Sasha was a KGB agent.

Beck said Lonetree became involved in espionage after beginning a clandestine love affair with a woman named Violeta, who worked as an interpreter in the embassy.

He also said Lonetree, an American Indian, may have been motivated to spy by a desire for revenge against the federal government’s treatment of his people.

“He expressed resentment to our government for the treatment native Americans received,” Beck said.