GREEN BERET FACES MARIJUANA CHARGES

An Army Special Forces sergeant responsible for helping elite Green
Berets orchestrate deployments has been charged with growing marijuana
on his southern Illinois farm.

Master Sgt. Ernest Eugene May, 48, also could face military charges
for unauthorized military munitions police say they found in his home.
May, stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., was charged Oct. 20 with four
drug-related counts stemming from the discovery of marijuana growing
in fields near his home, said State's Attorney Brian Trambley.

On Thursday, Maj. Tom McConnell, a spokesman for Army Special Forces
headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C., said the Army is awaiting the
outcome of May's civil proceedings before determining whether military
charges should be filed. He was unable to determine if May remained in
his post.

May was free on $5,000 bond.

May's unit is one of five active duty Green Beret units stationed in
the United States. Soldiers assigned to the units are considered among
the military's elite.