Marines arrested in attack on camping couple

PORTLAND, Oregon (CNN) -- Two Marine recruiters have been arrested after they allegedly attacked a couple who inadvertently pitched a tent in the midst of a Marine bivouac on Mount Hood.

Sgt. Rudolph Jackson and Sgt. Clinton Bergmann were charged with kidnapping, assault and rape.

Henry Thompson, 33, said he and a 23-year- old woman friend sat around a campfire with the Marines after discovering they were camped in the middle of the official outing.

"They told us we were the safest people on Earth because they had 180 Marines up there," Thompson said.

Thompson said the Marines began drinking heavily, and he and his friend retired to their tent. They were later awakened by a noise. Thompson said he opened the tent door to find Jackson "with a flashlight pointed right in my eyes."

"They put something to the side of my ribs and when I started fighting he said 'shoot him, just shoot him,'" Thompson said.

Thompson said Jackson beat him and taped him to a tree while another man dragged his friend away. Thompson said he heard her screaming "no" a short while later.

Marine spokesmen said the incident is under investigation.

"We don't tolerate certain behavior and if it is substantiated and they're guilty of such, they're going to face maximum prosecution by the law," said Capt. Robert Rice, a spokesman for the Marine recruiting office in Portland.

The Marines -- including 150 recruits -- were taking part in an annual rafting and camping trip at the Clear Lake Campground in the Mount Hood National Forest.

Related site:

• United States Marine Corps

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