The following reports the results of Special and General Courts-Martial tried and completed within the United States Navy in August 2015. The cases are listed by the Navy Region in which they were tried.


Naval District Washington

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Washington, D.C., an O-1 was tried for sexual assault. On 27 August 2015, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty.

Special Court-Martial

* None.

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Jesus Villanueva, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to sexual assault. On 6 August 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 15 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Dishonorable Discharge is to be commuted to a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement greater than 14 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, an E-5 was tried for carnal knowledge, rape of a child, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and indecent acts with a child. On 20 August 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Groton, Connecticut, Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Byron A.W. Grobe, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to larceny of government property, and receipt and possession, with intent to distribute child pornography. On 26 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 39 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 27 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a General Court-Martial in Groton, Connecticut, Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jonathan J. Otto, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to receipt and possession, with intent to distribute child pornography. On 27 August 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 3 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 30 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman Zechariah C. Bird, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violation of a lawful general order, assault consummated by a battery, and unlawful entry. On 27 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 4 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement his punitive discharge is to be suspended. The punitive discharge may be ordered executed if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Great Lakes, Illinois, ENC Marcus Moore, USN was tried for violating a lawful general order and assault. On 4 August 2015, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty of the assault, but returned a verdict of guilty for violation of a lawful general order. The military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-6.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, MMFN Demarko A. Reed, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault and battery and violating a lawful general order. On 5 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $300 per month for 3 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-2, and confinement for 89 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 60 days is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, AA Joseph L. Jones, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violating a lawful order. On 6 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $250 per month for 2 months and confinement for 60 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 45 days is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, AM3 Cailean S. Harrington, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possession of child pornography. On 10 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $687 per month for 12 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 12 months. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, an E-4 was tried for failing to obey lawful general regulations and assault. On 11 August 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, GSCS Gilbert C. Thomas, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violating a lawful general order. On 12 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-6. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, AN Eliejah K. Williams, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to violating a lawful order, false official statement, wrongful use of a controlled substance, and assault consummated by a battery. On 17 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 6 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 5 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, ABHAA Robert E. Henderson, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful use of a controlled substance and to wrongfully introducing a controlled substance onto a vessel. On 18 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 5 months. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, an E-8 was tried for abusive sexual contact and violating a lawful general order. On 21 August 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, GSMFA Tevin S. Wilson, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conspiracy and larceny. On 28 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $687 per month for 12 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 12 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 6 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement 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 Mayport Florida, an O-2 was tried for rape. On 19 August 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, an E-5 was tried for false official statement, frauds against the United States, and adultery. On 25 August 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

Navy Region Northwest

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, LSC Walter D. Vasquez, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery. On
17 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and reduction in rank to paygrade E-6. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, CSSA Carlos R. Smith, USN pled guilty to physically controlling a passenger vehicle while drunk, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and wrongful use of a Schedule I controlled substance. On
19 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,000 per month for 4 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 4 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 60 days is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, PVT Hunter L. Stewart, USMC pled guilty to larceny and breaking restriction. On 6 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than time served (65 days) is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Navy Region Southwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, CSSN Theophilus Cunningham, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery. On 6 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 10 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 6 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, ATAN Brian Purcell, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery. On 4 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 75 days. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Yeoman 1st Class Danny Soto, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to larceny and wrongful appropriation. On 5 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for 6 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement greater than 75 days is to be suspended; forfeitures and reduction in rank will be disapproved or deferred. The suspended and disapproved sentences may be executed if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, MN2 Joseph Baker, USN pled guilty to wrongful use of methamphetamine. On 6 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand, to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and 45 days confinement. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Bad Conduct discharge and confinement greater than time served (28 days) is to be suspended. The suspended sentences may be executed if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, HN Plejhur Mays, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to larceny and wrongful appropriation. On 7 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $1292 per month for 12 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 12 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, confinement greater than 89 days is to be suspended. 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, Chief Hospital Corpsman Rashad Boyd, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault and disorderly conduct (drunkenness). On 20 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1000 per month for 2 months, restriction for 45 days, and hard labor without confinement for 45 days. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, MM3 Jeremy Norris, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault and disorderly conduct (drunkenness). On 24 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $500 per month for 4 months, restriction for 45 days, and hard labor without confinement for 45 days. The pretrial agreement has no effect on his sentence.


Navy Region Hawaii

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, LSSN Alexey Gebert, USN was tried for communicating a bomb threat and possession of unlawful handgun magazines. On 31 July 2015, the military judge dismissed the specification for possession of unlawful handgun magazines, but returned a verdict of guilty for communicating a bomb threat. On 3 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 7 months.

Special Court-Martial

* None.

Navy Region Japan

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, LS3 John Browder, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conspiracy to introduce marijuana onto a military base with the intent to distribute, and attempts to possess and distribute twelve pounds of marijuana. On 7 August 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, a fine of $20,000 and confinement for 10 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Dishonorable Discharge is to be commuted to a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement greater than 3 years is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

* None.