El Toro Marine Files Bias Complaint : Military: A Muslim sergeant says there was a pattern of religious discrimination against him by five base officials.

A Muslim sergeant at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station filed a complaint against his commanding general and four other officials Wednesday, alleging that they have repeatedly violated his civil rights by discriminating against him because of his religion.

The 200-page complaint against the five officials, including base commander Maj. Gen. P. Drax Williams, stems from a pattern of discrimination over the past 2 1/2 years, said Sgt. Samir Jerez at a press conference held at the Islamic Education Center.

“Each time I’ve complained of religious discrimination, they’ve focused on framing me on different levels,” said Jerez, 28, a seven-year veteran.

On one occasion, Jerez, a public affairs spokesman, alleges the five sabotaged one of his work-related projects. In another instance, he said he received a four-month suspension from being a reporter for the station’s newspaper because he was labeled an “activist.”

“After further complaints, the severity of repercussions grew from unfair grading practices to mishandling my complaint, to bogus reprimands that kept me from being promoted. I became labeled as the station ‘troublemaker,’ ” he said.

In November, Jerez complained about a terrorism training film, saying that it “depicts Muslims as crazed, bloodthirsty terrorists and the enemies of the U.S. and Israel.” He also said the tape was influencing Marines “to kill Muslims.”

Jerez said he routed this complaint through the proper channels, but he said the film was only pulled last month after protests by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

“A short time later, I was under investigation and eventually charged for having knowledge of a ‘supposed crime,’ ” Jerez said.

He said he is asking the Marines to drop all charges against him. He also is requesting an honorable discharge, despite having a remaining commitment of 3 1/2 years. He said he has not decided whether he will file a civil suit.

Lt. Beth Carreiro, an El Toro air station public affairs spokeswoman, said she had not seen Jerez’s complaint and could not comment about the case.

Once the complaint is received, Carreiro said, the Marines will appoint a chief investigator. The Marines will have 60 days to respond.