Lying charges dropped against 2 SEALs

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The government has dropped false statement charges against two Navy SEALs accused of mistreating an Iraqi detainee.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe of Yorktown, Va., and Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas of Blue Island, Ill., are still charged with dereliction of duty for allegedly failing to protect terrorist suspect Ahmed Hashim Abed. Huertas also is charged with impeding an investigation.

Their trials are set for later this month in Iraq.

Navy spokesman Lt. Arlo Abrahamson said depositions were taken Tuesday from several defense witnesses who have been granted immunity.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe of Perrysburg, Ohio, is charged with punching Abed, dereliction of duty and lying to investigators. His trial is set for May 3 in Norfolk.