SERVICEMAN CLEARED IN TEEN'S DEATH

EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- A serviceman who killed a teenager during a border
drug patrol has been cleared of wrongdoing by the Marine Corps.

A report released Monday concluded Cpl. Clemente Banuelos was protecting a
fellow Marine when he shot Esequiel Hernandez Jr. in May 1997 in Redford, a
rural Rio Grande community 200 miles southeast of El Paso.

According to the military, the 18-year-old Hernandez, who was out herding
his goats, fired at the Marines twice and raised his .22-caliber rifle a
third time when Banuelos shot him once with an M-16.

Hernandez's family disputes the military's account.

A state and a federal grand jury each declined to indict Banuelos in the
shooting. An investigation by Joint Task Force 6, an agency that
coordinates anti-drug missions between the military and civilian police,
concluded the Marines acted within mission guidelines.

The shooting led to the suspension of armed military patrols on the border.
Military officials say such operations may be discontinued altogether.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski