[JURIST] Allen Abney was released from US military custody Thursday evening after his arrest last week for deserting the US Marine Corps [official website] in 1968. Abney, now a Canadian citizen, was born in the United States, but grew up in Canada. He joined the Marines in 1968, but fled to Canada after completing basic training in North Carolina before he could be sent to Vietnam.

Abney was arrested late last week [JURIST report] when he and his wife attempted to cross the US border into Idaho. A computer check revealed that a warrant was out for his arrest and he was taken into custody and held at Camp Pendleton [official website], California. Abney was granted an administrative discharge [JURIST report] from the Marine Corps and did not face a court martial or criminal record. It is unclear whether he received a dishonorable discharge. The Marine Corps has denied allegations that Abney's arrest is part of an attempt to crack down on military deserters. CTV has more.