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The following reports the results of every Special and General Court-Martial convened within the United States Navy in September 2019. The cases are organized by the Navy Region in which they were tried.
Naval District Washington
General Courts-Martial
None.
Special Courts-Martial
At a Special Court-Martial in Washington, DC, AN Sean Pobst, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, introduction of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, use of a controlled substance, and two specifications of possession of a controlled substance. On 25 September 2019, consistent with the pretrial agreement, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to E-1, and confinement for 10 months.
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
General Court-Martial
At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, LS2 Justin T. Jefferson, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to larceny. On 3 September 2019, consistent with the pretrial agreement, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 6 months.
Special Court-Martial
At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, an E-5 was tried for sexual harassment and three specifications of making racially discriminatory comments. On 4 September 2019, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty.
At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, an E-5 was tried for sexual harassment and hazing. On 24 September 2019, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty.
At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, AOAN Alejandro Ramos, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to four specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance, assault consummated by a battery, larceny, and fraudulent use of credit cards. On 26 September 2019, consistent with the pretrial agreement, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 12 months.
At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, AA Alejandro Kaulaity, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful use of a controlled substance and wrongful introduction of a controlled substance. On 30 September 2019, consistent with the pretrial agreement, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $942.00 pay per month for 2 months and confinement for 73 days. The pretrial agreement contained a waiver of the accused’s administrative separation board.
Navy Region Southeast
At a General Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, an E-3 was tried for sexual assault. On 11 September 2019, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
Navy Region Northwest
At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, CSSN Donte C. Mestuzzi, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possession with the intent to distribute child pornography. On 6 September 2019, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 4 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement in excess of 42 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 Bremerton, Washington, YNC Timothy P. Vaughn, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to fraternization and adultery. On 5 September 2019, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to the paygrade of E-5 and confinement for 60 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence. The pretrial agreement contained a waiver of the accused’s administrative separation board.
Navy Region Southwest
At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, LCDR Robert J. Cleary, USN, was tried for attempted receipt of child pornography, wrongfully using a U.S. Government communication system and equipment, wrongfully introducing and possessing a non- Navy Marine Corps Intranet laptop in his office space, two specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentlemen, and possession of child pornography. On 13 September 2019, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty of attempted receipt of child pornography, wrongfully using a U.S. Government communication system and equipment, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentlemen, and possession of child pornography, and sentenced him to be discharged with a Dismissal and confinement for 1 year.
At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, IT3 Daniel Van Dijk, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to importing a controlled substance, manufacturing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, two specifications of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and distribution of a controlled substance. On 16 September 2019, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 42 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement in excess of 33 months is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
Navy Region Hawaii
Navy Region Japan
At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, AA Matthew Mosteller, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to sexual assault. On 26 September 2019, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to E-1, and confinement for 42 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement in excess of 12 months is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, BM1 Sean McLaughlin, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possessing child pornography. On 30 September 2019, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge and six months confinement. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Dishonorable Discharge is to be reduced to a Bad Conduct Discharge.
At a Special Court-Martial in Guam, an E-4 was tried for disrespect towards a sentinel, aggravated assault with a loaded firearm, and assault upon a sentinel or lookout. On 5 September 2019, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central
Subject specific information for the media
Updates on sailors from around the Fleet
Official Navy statements
Given by Navy leadership
HASC, SASC and Congressional testimony
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