I-Team: Conduct unbecoming of a Marine recruiter involved local teens

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - Kelly Jacob Getz grew up just a few miles from Marine Corps Base Parris Island, South Carolina. After high school he joined the Marine Corps.

Eight years later, in 2009, at the age of 26, Getz became a recruiter at the Clearwater Marine recruiting office. There, he visited schools and met with students.

"Everybody started off with a good relationship with him,” said a former recruit who asked not to be identified.

"I know a couple girls ended up hating him because of what he would try to do," said the young woman, who was 18-years-old at the time.

She, along with many others, said the Marine’s behavior became less than honorable.

“There's numerous girls who had received text messages and other things from him in a sexual manner of him trying to get them to do things with him."

The girls, between the ages of 17 and 18, were students at  local high schools, including two where he was assigned -- Tarpon Springs High and East Lake High.

Sources tell the I-Team that Getz sent inappropriate messages to at least nine girls and had sexual encounters with two 18-year-old students.

U.S. Army Reserve Major and former JAG attorney Wyndel Darville said this conduct discredits the armed services.

"I don't think this incident reflects the character of the men and women of the military,” said Darville.

We asked Darville how allegations like these are handled in the military.

“Based on my experience, justice and punishment in the military can come swiftly. The advantage the military has over the civilian justice system is that it can move rather quickly when it wants to,” said Darville.

But what about the Pinellas County school district? You would think this case would be of great concern. But district officials told the I-Team they have no plans to conduct their own investigation because the Marine Corps told them the recruits who had actual sexual contact with the recruiter  were 18 or older and out of high school at the time of the incidents.

However, the Marine Corps spokesman told us some of those teens who were inappropriately texted or talked to were high school seniors and that Kelly Getz was convicted for that behavior in a military court.

Getz was sentenced to one year in military prison, a reduction in rank, along with a bad conduct discharge.

"He’s effectively done with the military. He's lost virtually every benefit that a Marine or any soldier could have," said Darville.

In a statement, the Marine Corps wrote:

 "…we hold our marines to higher standard, holding them accountable for their actions. Kelly Getz's actions do not reflect the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment, which is why he was charged, convicted and is being released from military service with no option to return."

As for the recruits and their families, they hope justice has been served, but fear there could be other victims that have yet to come forward.

Our source said, "It's a hard thing to talk about, but you got to talk about it, so that they can make sure that he's punished the way he should be."