Spc. Jeremy Morlock has been accused of murdering three Afghan civilians, according to an Army press release. Morlock, 22, is from Wasilla. He has been charged with three counts of premeditated murder and one count of assault.

The military doesn't think Morlock acted alone. A criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that a small number of U.S. soldiers killed as many as three Afghan civilians, according to a press release from the United States Forces-Afghanistan. The same release also said there are allegations of drug use and conspiracy.

An infantryman, Morlock entered the military in June 2006 and trained at Fort Benning, Ga. He deployed in July 2009 along with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His Facebook profile includes pictures of him in Afghanistan posing with other soldiers and Afghan children.

Few details about the alleged murders have been released yet, except that they took place either at or near Forward Operating Base Ramrod in Kandahar province.

The three alleged murders did not take place at one time.

"There were three separate incidences that occurred between January and May of this year," said Lt. Col. Tamara Parker, an Army spokesperson. The assault was separate from the murders, according to Parker, and was directed towards a soldier in his unit.

Parker also said the other soldiers being investigated for the murders are still in Afghanistan. They are from the same unit as Morlock.

Listed among Morlock's favorite quotations on his Facebook profile is the following: "All alone, God takes your soul, You're on your own. A perfect line On the devil's back, Until you die. Gotta look this life in the eye."

According to the Army press release, investigators are looking into the case.

Parker said Morlock would be provided with trial defense by the Army. He can also hire private counsel if he wishes. The maximum penalties for premeditated murder could be as harsh as life in prison or the death penalty, although Parker said she didn't know if the Army would seek the death penalty in this case.

Contact Joshua Saul at jsaul(at)alaskadispatch.com.