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Gunny admits he shared classified files

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A Camp Pendleton Marine pleaded guilty in military court to giving classified information to a Los Angeles County sheriff’s detective.

Gunnery Sgt. Eric Froboese pleaded guilty Thursday to disobeying a lawful order, dereliction of duty and conspiracy. Other charges were dismissed as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Froboese admitted sharing hundreds of documents, which have been deemed classified by the CIA and were not discussed at the hearing at Camp Pendleton.

Prosecutors say between 2003 and 2004, Froboese supplied documents to the detective, Larry Richards, who is a colonel in the Marine Reserve. Froboese said he was following what he knew were illegal orders from Richards when he was told to gather the files.

“I didn’t safeguard the materials, sir,” Froboese told military judge Lt. Col. Peter Rubin. “He didn’t have a need to know, and it was information he should not have received.”

Froboese did not explain why he shared the documents. The American Civil Liberties Union is seeking the files to see if they contain information about the possible illegal surveillance of Muslims.

Froboese faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in the brig, pay forfeiture, a reduction in rank to private and dishonorable discharge. A sentencing date has not been set.

In his civilian life, Froboese is a sheet metal worker. Richards was a co-founder of the Los Angeles Terrorism Early Warning Group.