Decorated Marine convicted of 1 count of hazing, dereliction of duty; rank is reduced

NORFOLK, Va. – A decorated Marine accused of humiliating and physically abusing those under his command has been found guilty of one count of hazing.

Officials say Staff Sgt. Dustin A. Barker of Scott, Kentucky, was convicted Thursday in military court of hazing and dereliction of duty.

Barker was accused of multiple counts of hazing Marines under his command in 2013 at bases in Virginia and in Cuba. But Barker was convicted on only one hazing charge, in which prosecutors said he ordered one Marine to punch another hard enough to make him urinate blood. The incident happened at the Navy's base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Barker was a platoon sergeant with the Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment.

The Marines said Monday that Barker was sentenced on Friday to a reduction in rank, to sergeant.