Hassoun involved in undercover operation

Morgan said one count each of theft and larceny stem from Hassoun taking, and then losing, his 9mm service pistol. However, one charge is expected to be dropped, depending on the outcome of the hearing, since Hassoun cannot be charged with two crimes stemming from the same incident. The second count of theft stems from his alleged taking of a military Humvee during his disappearance.

Hassoun has maintained he was abducted when he disappeared from his Marine camp June 19. He did not surface in public again until June 27, when a grainy video of Hassoun, blindfolded with a sword held over his head, appeared on the Arabic television network Al-Jazeera, prompting prayer vigils and outcries of sympathy for Hassoun's family in West Jordan.

But after several false alarms that Hassoun had been executed, the missing Marine turned up hundreds of miles away in his native Lebanon on July 8, when he contacted the U.S. Embassy there.

Months later, soldiers taking Fallujah reported finding Hassoun's uniform, military ID and a book in an area where hostages were believed to have been held. After a five-month investigation, which involved interviews with hundreds of soldiers and nationals on two continents, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service submitted its findings, which led to criminal charges.

Amid all the upcoming intrigue, Hassoun's routine remains unchanged. Morgan said Hassoun works as a truck driver dispatcher at Camp LeJeune and is allowed to leave the base. He has not been incarcerated. Hassoun also has applied and has been granted holiday leave to be with his family in West Jordan.

An exact date when the hearing will continue has not been set, but officials said it will take place before Jan. 13. Upon hearing all of the evidence, Wunder will determine if Hassoun will stand trial, face a lesser option or face no charges at all.

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