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Court-martial, crimes and punishment at Joint Base San Antonio

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  • By U.S. Army North and 502nd Air Base Wing legal offices
  • U.S. Army North and 502nd Air Base Wing legal offices

During the month of July, there was one court-martial and JBSA Air Force and Army commanders administered numerous non-judicial punishments actions under Article 15 of the Uniform Code Of Military Justice.

Wrongful Use And Distribution Of Psilocybin: An airman first class from the 802nd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Texas, was tried by special court-martial on 16 July 2018 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. The airman was tried by military judge alone and pled guilty to one charge and eight specifications of wrongful use and distribution of psilocybin in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ.  The airman was sentenced to a reprimand, reduction to the grade of Airman Basic, forfeitures of $250 pay per month for three months, hard labor without confinement for 60 days, to be confined for three months, and to be discharged from the service with a Bad Conduct Discharge. 

All courts-martial are open to the public and a list of upcoming courts-martial can be found at the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s website: http://www.afjag.af.mil/About-Us/Docket. 

The non-judicial punishments imposed reflect the commander’s determination of an appropriate punishment after considering the circumstances of the offense and the member’s record. 

A “suspended” punishment does not take effect unless the member engages in additional misconduct or fails to satisfy the conditions of the suspension. The suspension period usually lasts six months unless a lesser amount is specified. 

The following are some of the non-judicial punishments actions that closed out during the month of  July:

Failure to Go, Solicitation and Disorderly Conduct – A technical sergeant failed to go to their place of duty and solicited a subordinate to lie on their behalf. The member received a reduction to the grade of staff sergeant (suspended), forfeitures of $1,000 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.  They then acted disorderly in public when confronted about their behavior. The member received a vacation of reduction to the grade of staff sergeant. 

Larceny – An airman basic in technical training stole earrings, clothing and an energy drink from the base exchange. The member received forfeitures of $819 pay per month for two months with forfeitures in excess of $227 suspended, base restriction for 30 days, extra duty for 15 days and a reprimand. 

Simple Assault – An Airman in technical training punched another Airman in the face. The member received a reduction to the grade of Airman Basic and a reprimand.

Willful Dereliction of Duty and Disorderly Conduct – An airman basic in technical training willfully wore civilian attire outside of their dormitory room while in Basic Transition Phase and was acting disorderly around the dormitory. The member received forfeitures of $757 pay per month for two months (with one month suspended), and a reprimand.

Driving Under The Influence – An airman fist class in technical training drove while drunk. The member received a reduction to the grade of Airman and a reprimand.

Military Property of the USsale, loss, damage, destruction, or wrongful disposition -- A senior airman damaged a patrol car by backing into a fence. The member received a reduction to the grade of Airman First Class, forfeitures of $1,026 pay per month (for two months suspended), 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.

Wrongful Use of a Controlled Substance: An Army private (E-2) was found guilty of one specification of wrongful use of marijuana. The private received a reduction to private  (E-1), forfeiture of $819 for two months (suspended for 90 days), extra duty for 45 days, restriction to the limits of the company area, dining facility, medical facility and place of worship for 45 days and a written reprimand.  

Failure to Repair, Dereliction of Duty, Damage to Military Property of the United States: An Army specialist (E-4) was found guilty of five specifications of failure to repair, one specification of dereliction of duty, and one specification of damage to military property of the United States.  The specialist was reduced to private first class (E-3), suspended for 90 days, forfeiture of $507 pay, suspended for 90 days, and extra duty for 14 days.

Failure to Repair: An Army private first class (E-3) was found guilty of one specification of failure to repair.  The private first class was reduced to private (E-2), suspended for 90 days, forfeiture of $428.00, suspended for 90 days, and extra duty for 14 days.

Failure to Repair: An Army private first class (E-3), was found guilty of five specifications of failure to repair.  The Private First Class (E-3), received the following punishment: forfeiture of $450, suspended for 180 days, extra duty for seven days, restriction to the limits of the company area, dining facility, medical facility and place of worship for seven days and an oral reprimand.

Failure to Repair: An Army private first class (E-3), was found guilty of four specifications of failure to repair.  The private first class received the following punishment: forfeiture of $478 and suspended for 180 days.