JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Airmen of Joint Base Charleston referenced below were convicted at a court-martial and action was taken on their conviction during the fourth quarter of 2014, October to December. Airmen who are convicted at a special or general court-martial are considered to have a federal conviction. Sentences at a special court-martial can be up to one year in jail, a Bad Conduct Discharge (or a dismissal for Officers), reduction in grade to E-1 for enlisted members, and forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 12 months.
Sentences at a general court-martial vary widely according to the charged crimes. A general court-martial, if the accused is convicted of the appropriate crime, can sentence a member to the maximum punishment authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice based on the crime for which the member was convicted, up to and including life in prison, or even death, if authorized for that offense.
16th Airlift Squadron - A technical sergeant was tried by a special court-martial for violating Article 112a, UCMJ. The member was charged with and pled guilty to three specifications of wrongful use of cocaine. A panel of officer and enlisted members sentenced the member to be confined for six months, a reduction in grade to airman first class, and forfeited $1,356 pay per month for six months. This individual will have a federal criminal drug conviction on his record for life.
437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron - A staff sergeant was tried by a special court-martial for violating Article 112a, UCMJ. The member was charged with one specification of wrongful use of methamphetamine and one specification of wrongful use of marijuana. A panel of officer and enlisted members acquitted the member of wrongful use of methamphetamine and convicted the member of wrongful use of marijuana. The panel sentenced the member to three months confinement, forfeiture of $1,618 pay per month for three months, and Bad Conduct Discharge. This individual will have a federal criminal drug conviction on his record for life.