Thomas Argento, also known as Chief Argento, is a villain that appeared in the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles.
Biography[]
Thomas Argento hailed from a family of five, having a brother and sister. He enlisted in the Navy, rising up the ranks until he became a chief petty officer and was given command of his own unit. He had an impeccable record for his services as a SEAL and being well respected by his unit, as well as serving three tours in Syria and Afghanistan and being called a "war hero". He was also married to his wife Jessica, who was related to a senator in Virginia. Sam stated that Argento was connected to the political world in Washington, D.C., which was atypical for a SEAL.
It was noted, in his after-action reports, that many of the kills came as a sniper, even if he wasn't trained to be one. Based on the reports, he was always seen positioning alone without a target spotter and witnesses to his kills. Behind this image, Argento was a corrupt, xenophobic, and war driven man. This was seen when he executed several war prisoners, civilians and even forced his men to turn off their helmet cameras, as he committed the deeds.
Code of Conduct[]
On one occasion, he would kill an unconscious man with non-life-threatening injuries and forced his men to take a picture with him while threatening them to keep quiet and using the picture as leverage.
Argento prepared to order his men to destroy a Taliban house, suspected of having armed terrorists inside when in reality, they were civilians. However, fellow SEAL-turned NCIS Office of Special Projects agent Osama Hanna spoke to Argento and his unit to cease their acts. Sam's reputation as a widely respected SEAL helped in his favor, as Argento's men were hesitant to follow his orders after Sam persuaded them not to follow through with the attack. Argento then tried to give the belief that he was willing to negotiate, but Sam saw through it and had him arrested in front of his unit who soon gave their accounts. Before being hauled off, Argento told Sam that he wouldn't be able to hold him forever and Sam voiced his intentions to see him at the trial.
War Crimes[]
Argento was imprisoned for five months in the San Diego Navy Brig, being treated with sarcasm by the Head Jailer who heard of his crimes and didn't hesitate to show his disgust. Each day, he counted down until his trial was approaching. On the day of his trial, he shaved his face and dressed in his uniform, as the Jailer noted on how he seemed ready and gave him a song.
Argento was represented by a powerful lawyer who was friends with his wife's political family. He was amused when one witness, PO1 Malcolm Kendricks, changed his testimony by stating that he killed the civilian. This caused the prosecution and NCIS to realize something was wrong and Sam confronted Argento, who told him he had no intentions of spending the rest of his life in prison. Sam declared to Argento that this was not over and that he would find the people to ensure Argento's imprisonment is permanent.
During their investigation, NCIS OSP agents discovered Argento's family supported him, but paid no visits. It was later revealed that a retired SEAL officer named Parker Cole, whose son Michael was in Argento's unit, conspired with him to get him off the hook by getting his son to threaten the family of another testifying member, PO1 William Moffet.
NCIS OSP agents were able to detain Argento's conspirators, with Sam taking the second witness, Petty Officer Moffet, to give his truthful testimony which gave leeway to his imprisonment.
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