Ex-Marine Re-Arrested After Early Release from Prison
A former U.S. Marine sergeant previously convicted in connection with a high-profile hazing-related death has been arrested once again following his early release from prison, according to a report by Military Times titled “Ex-Marine arrested after early release following hazing death.”
Joseph Felix, who was found guilty in 2017 of numerous offenses related to the abuse of junior Marines at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina, was taken back into custody in San Diego on January 30, 2026. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed the arrest but declined to provide specific details surrounding the circumstances. Sources familiar with the case indicated the arrest may be connected to the conditions of Felix’s supervised release.
Felix, once a drill instructor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a court-martial found him culpable in a series of incidents, most notably the hazing of 20-year-old recruit Raheel Siddiqui, who died in 2016 in a fall from a barracks stairwell. Investigators concluded that a pattern of sustained mistreatment, including physical and verbal abuse targeting Muslim recruits, contributed to Siddiqui’s death. Felix’s conviction included counts of cruelty, maltreatment, and making false statements.
In 2022, the Bureau of Prisons approved Felix for discretionary early release after five years of incarceration, citing good behavior and rehabilitation efforts while behind bars. However, the terms of his supervised release reportedly included strict compliance with behavioral and reporting obligations. Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether the arrest constitutes a violation of parole or an entirely new offense.
The original Military Times article emphasized the renewed attention Felix’s case has drawn to the Marine Corps’ ongoing challenges in preventing hazing and other forms of abuse within its training pipelines. While the service has implemented reforms since Siddiqui’s death — including mandatory reporting procedures, expanded oversight of drill instructors, and additional training on the identification of discriminatory behavior — advocacy groups argue that more systemic change is needed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Defense declined to comment on Felix’s arrest, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation. Legal experts note that if Felix is found to have violated the conditions of his release, he may be required to serve the remainder of his sentence or face additional penalties.
The Siddiqui family has continued to call for deeper accountability within the Marine Corps. In a statement reacting to the latest developments, a family representative described the arrest as a reminder of the unresolved pain stemming from the 2016 tragedy and reiterated demands for institutional reform.
As of publication, Felix remains in federal custody. It is unclear when a formal hearing will be held to determine the next steps in his case.
