Is there a current case involving sexual misconduct awaiting court martial in the U.S. Air Force?
Sexual misconduct within the military has been a hot-button issue for the past several years, particularly in light of the near-constant news media reports of allegations made against airmen by fellow service members and civilians. Undoubtedly, a court martial resulting in a finding against the service member can result in military discharge, fines, penalties, jail time and general hardship – including loss of benefits and pension. For these reasons, it is vital to contact an experienced court martial attorney immediately upon receiving formal charges of misconduct, as the Judge Advocate General (JAG) office will have no doubt begun working diligently to gather evidence from alleged witnesses in the meantime.
In one recent case, a technical sergeant awaits court martial on three counts of sexual abuse involving alleged lewd acts against a child victim, which is described as a victim aged younger than 12 years of age. Two of the events are alleged to have occurred within a one-month span between June 2012 and May 2013 and, and are believed to have transpired near the Columbus Air Force base in Mississippi. The third event, which was classified as sexual abuse of a minor child between the ages of 12 and 16, is alleged to have occurred at or near Pasiano di Pordenone in northern Italy – a U.S. military base. This third event, which involves the same alleged victim, occurred between September 2013 and May 2014.
Only one of the alleged events involves actual physical contact with the accuser, however. The defendant has been a member of the U.S. Air Force since 2003, and was awarded a Commendation Medal for his service.
Court martial is unlike civilian court, and there are a number of procedural and legal considerations of which average civilian practitioners are not aware. If you are facing military charges, you deserve the best protection possible. In order to preserve your reputation, as well as your liberty, contact Court Martial Law, a Division of Aviso Law LLC at: 719-247-3111. Located in Denver, Colorado, we are proud to serve military clients worldwide.