Navy releases 20 courts-martial verdicts for November

The Navy handed down 20 verdicts via courts-martial in November, with charges ranging from cruelty to a subordinate to stalking and wire fraud.

These are the November verdicts via general and special court-martial, arranged by region. The Navy withholds accused's identity in cases where they were found not guilty.

NAVY REGION MID-ATLANTIC

General Court-Martial 

• At a General Court-Martial In Norfolk, Virginia, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Warren D. Brown, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to sexual assault and wrongful use of marijuana. On Nov. 18 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 86 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 18 months will be suspended and remitted. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-MartialIn Great Lakes, Illinois, Information Systems Technician 3rd ClassIT3 Chasity M. Thomas, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to false official statements, stalking, general disorder (Article 134) and the following assimilated federal offenses: wire fraud, communicating a threat, using a telecommunications device to threaten or harass, and attempting to utilize a telecommunications device to threaten or harass. On Nov. 4 2015, the military judge sentenced her to be discharged with a bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3 and confinement for six 6 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on her sentence.
• At a Special Court-Martial In Norfolk, Virginia, an E-6 was tried for failure to obey a lawful order and assault consummated by a battery. On Nov. 6 6 November 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
• At a Special Court-Martial In Norfolk, Virginia, Culinary Specialist 2nd ClassCS2 Joshua W. Abshire, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violation of a lawful general order, false official statement, sale of military property, larceny and attempted larceny. On Nov. 18 18 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad-conduct dischargeBad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit two-thirds pay and allowances per month for eight 8 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for eight months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the forfeitures will be waived/disapproved, and the bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge is to be suspended and remitted pending administrative discharge. The suspended punitive discharge may be ordered executed, and the waived/disapproved portion of the sentence may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

NAVY REGION SOUTHEAST 

General Court-Martial

• At a General Court-Martial In Pensacola, Florida, Master Chief Hopspital CorpspmanMCM Shanon Best, USN was tried for rape and obstruction of justice. On 5 November 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty to all charges and sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge and confinement for 30 years.
• At a General Court-Martial In Jacksonville, Florida, HospitalmanHN Joseph E. Harris, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to aggravated assault, violation of a lawful order, and fleeing the scene of an accident. On Nov. 2020 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for three 3 years. Pursuant to the pre-trial agreement, confinement greater than 30 months is to be suspended and remitted. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-MartialIn Jacksonville, Florida,Hospitalman ***more info?N Sharon Meinders, USN was tried for false official statement. On Nov. 1818 November 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty and sentenced her to a fine of $1,030 and confinement for four months.

NAVY REGION NORTHWEST

General Court-Martial

• At a General Court-MartialIn Bremerton, Washington, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 1st ClassABF1 Robert E. Miller, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to sexual abuse of a child. On Nov. 22 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a dishonorable Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 15 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 12 years is to be suspended and remitted. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
• At a General Court-Martial In Bremerton, Washington, Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st ClassD1 Mark J. Winiecki, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to rape and sexual assault of a child, child endangerment and obstruction of justice. On Nov. 1010 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a dishonorablyDishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 25 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, forfeitures are to be waived/disapproved for the benefit of the family and confinement greater than 258 months (211/2 years), or 246 months (201/2 years) if the accused successfully completes an offered sex offender treatment program, is to be suspended and remitted. The waived/disapproved and suspended portions of the sentence may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
• At a General Court-Martial In Bremerton, Washington, Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd ClassS2 Adam Walker, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault upon a child under the age of 16 years. On Nov. 1313 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for six 6 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.
• At a General Court-Martial In Bremerton, Washington, Culinary Specialist SeamanSSN Victor I. Gargurevich, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possession of child pornography. On Nov. 1313 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for four 4 years. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-Martial In Bremerton, Washington, Interior Communications Electrician 1st ClassIC1 Adam J. Ravenscraft, USN pleaed guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful disposition and larceny of military equipment of a value more than $500.00. On Nov. 6 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for one 1 year. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.
• At a Special Court-MartialIn Bremerton, Washington, Operations Specialist 2nd ClassOS2 Durell L. Griffith, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to making a false official statement and larceny. On Nov. 18 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad-conduct Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 12 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.
• At a Special Court-Martial In Bremerton, Washington, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st ClassABE1 Robert L. Theel, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to stalking, indecent viewing and recording, and assault consummated by a battery. On Nov. 30 November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for five 5 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

NAVY REGION SOUTHWEST

General Court-Martial

• At a General Court-Martial In San Diego, California, Hospital Corpsman 1st ClassHM1 Nelson J. Mejia, USN was tried for aggravated sexual abuse of a child, abusive sexual contact with a child, and fleeing from law enforcement. On Nov. 19November 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact with a child, but returned a verdict of guilty for fleeing from law enforcement. The panel of members sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-5 and restriction for 60 days.

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-Martial In San Diego, California, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st ClassPR1 Joseph A. Quintero, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery and disorderly conduct (drunkenness). On Nov. 16November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,000.00 pay per month for three 3 months, a fine of $2,475.00, and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 31 days is to be suspended and remitted. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
• At a Special Court-Martial In San Diego, California, AirmanAN Danton A. Oliver, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to unauthorized absence, wrongfully using cocaine, alprazolam, amphetamine, oxymorphone, and marijuana, and wrongfully distributing cocaine. On Nov. 24November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to a bad-conduct dischargeBad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $120.00 per month for 12 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 10 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 90 days is to be suspended and remitted. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

NAVY REGION JAPAN

General Court-Martial

• At a General Court-Martial In Yokosuka, Japan, Fire Controlman 1st ClassFC1 Jonathan A. Dodd, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possessing child pornography. On Nov. 17November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged dishonorably Dishonorable Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for eight 8 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the dishonorable Dishonorable Discharge will be commuted to a bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge, forfeitures greater than two-thirds pay per month for 12 months will be waived/disapproved, and confinement greater than 12 months is to be suspended and remitted. The punitive discharge may be approved as adjudged, and the waived/disapproved and suspended portions of the sentence may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-MartialIn Yokosuka, Japan, Boatwain's Mate 2nd Class BM2 Ahmann W. Brooks, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to a violation of a lawful general order and possession and use of a controlled substance. On Nov. 24November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad-conduct dischargeBad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the bad-conduct discharge Bad Conduct Discharge will be suspended and remitted pending an administrative discharge and confinement greater than 40 days is to be suspended. The punitive discharge may be approved and the suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

NAVY REGION EUROPE, AFRICA, SOUTHWEST ASIA

Special Court-Martial

• At a Special Court-Martial In Naples, Italy, Chief Personnel SpecialistPSC David L. Woods, USN pleaded guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violation of a lawful general regulation and cruelty and maltreatment of a subordinate. On Nov. 5November 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $2,400 per month for 2 months, reduction in rank to paygrade to E-6, and restriction for two2 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the forfeitures are to be waived/disapproved for the benefit of dep

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