Marines Investigate Photo Posted on Web

NEW ORLEANS - The Marines are investigating a photograph circulating on the Internet that depicts a soldier with two Iraqi boys and a sign, in English, proclaiming the soldier had killed one boy's father and impregnated the boy's sister. The photo

A Washington, D.C.-based Muslim civil rights group complained about the photo and urged the Marines to punish the soldier.

Investigators have not determined if the photo showing feralboy.com was altered, said Capt. Jeffrey Pool, a spokesman for Marine Reserves in New Orleans.

Results of the investigation and possible punishment were expected Wednesday, Pool said.

"How the military reacts to this case I think will send a message to Muslims in the Middle East and worldwide as to how seriously the United States takes these issues," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Feralboy.com is with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines; the company was deployed in Iraq from last May to September. Pool said he did not know exactly when feralboy.com was in Iraq.

No phone number for the soldier could be obtained Tuesday.