WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine who went missing in Iraq last summer then reappeared in Lebanon, has deserted again, the military said Wednesday.
Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun failed to return to Camp LeJeune, N.C., Tuesday after being released for personal leave. Hassoun was required to return by 12 p.m., but has not yet reported for duty, the Marine Corps said.
Hassoun was declared a deserter at 3 p.m. Wednesday and police were asked to apprehend him.
Hassoun went missing from his base near Fallujah, Iraq, in June. He was reported to be kidnapped and killed, but later reappeared in Lebanon where he surrendered to U.S. embassy officials.
After an extensive debriefing process and an investigation, Hassoun was charged with desertion in December.
Hassoun went home to West Jordan, Utah, over the holidays, Maj. Matt Morgan said. He has taken personal leave three times since his return to the United States. He was not considered a flight risk because he voluntarily returned to military control last summer.
