EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) – A military judge Thursday found an Air Force officer guilty of illegally shipping a small arsenal of automatic weapons and hundreds of other war souvenirs home from Iraq.

Maj. Gregory McMillion stood at rigid attention with his two military lawyers as Col. Ronald Gregory read his verdict in the judge-only court-martial.

The proceedings then moved into the penalty phase with the prosecution presenting four character witnesses before court recessed for the day.

Defense character witnesses will testify today.

The 44-year-old McMillion faces anything from no penalty to a prison term of eight years.

Prosecutors said McMillion is a gun and military paraphernalia enthusiast who tried to use his deployment to stock his personal collection.

McMillion’s booty included about 30 automatic rifles, six rocket-propelled grenade launchers and dozens of magazines, scopes and sights. There also were several dummy land mines and grenades, 1,183 Iraqi army berets, more than 600 pairs of socks and eight full uniforms. Other items included a statue looted from an Iraqi museum.

The judge found McMillion guilty of violating an order against taking, retaining, storing and transporting war trophies for nonofficial purposes.

The judge also convicted the maintenance officer on charges of failing to turn over captured or abandoned property and conduct unbecoming an officer. He was acquitted on a charge of making false statements.

McMillion’s attorney had contended that his client had made a “honest mistake” because he and others didn’t understand the rules governing war souvenirs.

Prosecution character witnesses said McMillion’s actions not only affected the moral of the squadron, but also affected the personal lives of the members.

Senior Master Sgt. Russell Hadick, who worked directly with McMillion, said the case hurt his standing in the squadron.

“I’ve lost a lot of respect in my squadron,” Hadick said. “I was viewed as a suspect because of what this man had done.”