A three-year prosecution of the private military firm formerly known as Blackwater has ended in what critics are calling a slap on the wrist. Blackwater has reached a plea deal on an array of weapons charges, including illegal trafficking. They were accused of seeking to hide their weapons purchases and lying to federal officials. Three Blackwater officials saw all charges dismissed, while two others were sentenced to four months of house arrest and a small fine. Blackwater had defended itself by claiming it purchased the illegal weapons at the behest of the CIA.