Ill. man accused of hiding AWOL marine says he just wanted to help his friend, report says

(CBS) NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Daniel Vermette, an Illinois man who was arrested for hiding an AWOL marine in his attic, tells CBS Chicago he wasn't trying to break the law, he just wanted to help his friend.

Vermette, of Naperville, faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge, but he says he was only trying to help a friend who was mentally ill and in need of treatment, the station reports.

"I was more worried about what I could do to help," Vermette told the station. "He had been my friend for a long time."

Vermette reportedly helped that AWOL friend, identified as 21-year-old Jeremiah Rivera, hide above Vermette's garage in an attic crawlspace.

Police went to the Vermette's Naperville townhome October 7 in search of Rivera. Authorities say Vermette lied and claimed to have no knowledge of Rivera's whereabouts.

"I had two guns that showed up at my door," Vermette told the station. "I didn't want to really get involved. Period."

Officers reportedly searched Vermette's garage and found Rivera and arrested him.

Vermette says he can relate to Rivera's circumstances.

"I deployed in 2011 and I didn't get help until 2013 because I was afraid to address my issues. I was afraid that somebody would look at me like I wasn't normal," said Vermette.