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The following reports the results of special and general courts-martial tried and completed within the U.S. Navy in May 2018. The cases are listed by the Navy region where they were tried.
Naval District Washington
General Court-Martial
* None
Special Courts-Martial
* At a Special Court-Martial in Washington, D.C., Lt. j.g. Sarah Coppock, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to dereliction of duty contributing to the death of seven Sailors. On May 8, 2018, the military judge sentenced her to a reprimand and to forfeit two-thirds pay per month for three months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Washington, D.C., a petty officer first class was tried for one specification of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On May 14, 2018, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Washington, D.C., Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to dereliction of duty contributing to the death of 10 Sailors. On May 25, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand and to forfeit $2,000 per month for three months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, a seaman was tried for sexual assault and abusive sexual contact. On May 7, 2018, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Petty Officer 2nd Class Marvin J. Masa, USN, was tried for three specifications of sexual assault and one specification of communicating a threat. On May 15, 2018, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty to two specifications of sexual assault and sentenced him to be discharged with a dishonorable discharge and confinement for eight years.
* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael D. Payne, Jr., USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment. On May 24, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for 89 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.
Special Court-Martial At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Petty Officer 2nd Class Daiquon M. Evans, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to attempted wrongful introduction of a controlled substance, wrongful use of a controlled substance, wrongful possession of a controlled substance and assault consummated by a battery. On May 24, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-1 and confinement for 150 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than time served (58 days) is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Chief Petty Officer David P. Thompson, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of sexual harassment and assault consummated by a battery. On May 15, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,500 per month for three months and reduction in rank to paygrade petty officer first class. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all forfeitures are to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement. The pretrial agreement contained a waiver of the accused’s administrative separation board.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Chief Petty Officer Matthew J. Wheeler, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to disrespect toward a petty officer and aggravated assault and two specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On May 23, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 180 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The pretrial agreement contained a waiver of the accused’s administrative separation board.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Great Lakes, Illinois, Hospitalman Recruit Tristin E. McCarthy, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to one specification of spoilage of property other than military property of the United States and one specification of larceny. On May 31, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad conduct discharge and confinement for eight months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than six 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 Courts-Martial
At a General Court-Martial in Mayport, Florida, Lt. Cmdr. Bryan P. Watson, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to indecent visual recording and broadcasting of an indecent visual recording. On May 1, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a dismissal and confinement for 15 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.
At a Special Court-Martial in Mayport, Seaman Apprentice Justin D. Hart, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to one specification of attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and two specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On May 1, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad conduct discharge, to forfeit $800 per month for five months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1 and confinement for five months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, Chief Petty Officer Arturo L. Livingston, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to false official statement and adultery. On May 3, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand, to forfeit $1,000 for one month and restriction for 21 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Petty Officer 1st Class Jason P. Laplante, USN, was tried for four specifications of abusive sexual contact and three specifications of assault consummated by a battery. On May 10, 2018, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty to two specifications of assault consummated by a battery (a lesser included offense of abusive sexual contact) and one specification of assault consummated by a battery as charged. The panel of members sentenced him to forfeit $600 per month for six months and confinement for 75 days.
* At a Special Court-Martial in Jacksonville, Florida, Seaman Recruit Cole P. Robbins, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to one specification of larceny of military property of a value more than $500 and one specification of wrongfully disposing of classified material. On May 24, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad conduct discharge, to forfeit $1,000 per month for six months and confinement for six months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the punitive discharge will be disapproved and all confinement in excess of 120 days will be disapproved. The pretrial agreement contained a waiver of the accused’s administrative separation board.
Navy Region Northwest
* At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Hospitalman Mason L. Spence, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to three specifications of attempted sexual abuse of a child. On May 14, 2018, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a bad conduct discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1 and confinement for four years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement in excess of 30 months will be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the service member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.
Special Court-Martial
Navy Region Southwest
* At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, a petty officer first class was tried for one specification of sexual assault. On May 3, 2018, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, a senior chief petty officer was tried for three specifications of absence without leave. On May 9, 2018, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, Capt. Paul C. Miller USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conduct unbecoming an officer. On May 30, 2018 the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand, to forfeit $7,044 per month for two months and to be restricted 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 Hawaii
* At a General Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Petty Officer 1st Class Alexandros Manettas, USN, was tried for two specifications of attempted sexual abuse of a child. On May 24, 2018 the panel of members found him guilty of both specifications of attempted sexual abuse of a child and sentenced him to be discharged with a bad conduct discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, hard labor without confinement for 90 days and confinement for 90 days.
Navy Region Japan
Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia
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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