The following reports the results of Special and General Courts-Martial tried and completed within the United States Navy in December 2017. The cases are listed by the Navy Region in which they were tried.

Naval District Washington

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Courts-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Washington, DC, Petty Officer Second Class Jacob C. Cole, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful use of a government computer. On 13 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $1,000 per month for 12 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for seven months. The pretrial agreement has no effect on the sentence.

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Fireman Leah S. Vincent, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to absence without leave terminated by apprehension, false official statement, three specifications of wrongful distribution of a controlled substance, and wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 13 December 2017, the military judge sentenced her to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 15 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 11 months is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Fireman Apprentice Ason K. Butler, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to desertion and escape from custody. On 18 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 11 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Petty Officer Second Class Matthew J. Benedykcinski, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of stealing property from the United States. On 28 December 2018 the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, a fine of $500, and confinement for 121 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Navy Region Southeast

General Courts-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Mayport, Florida, an E-6 was tried for three specifications of rape of a child who had not attained the age of 12 and two specifications of sexual abuse of a child who had not attained the age of 12. On 7 December 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, Ensign Charles D. Hopgood-Rios, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to three specifications of attempted sexual abuse of a child, attempted distribution of child pornography, solicitation of another to commit an offense, distribution of child pornography, indecent language, receipt of child pornography, two specifications of possession of child pornography, and three specifications of solicitation of another to commit an offense. On 12 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to a dismissal, to forfeit all pay and allowances, and confinement for 27 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 36 months is to be suspended and remitted.

* At a General Court-Martial in Mayport, Florida, a Petty Officer Second Class was tried for false official statement and obstruction of justice. On 13 December 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Mayport, Florida, Lt. Bruce W. Melton, USN pled guilty to violating a military protective order. On 20 December 2017, the panel of members sentenced him to a reprimand.

Special Court-Martial

* None

Navy Region Northwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Logistics Specialist Collin R. Helms, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, wrongful use of an over-the-counter medication, and seven specifications of wrongful introduction, use, and distribution of controlled substances. On 4 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for nine months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

* At a General Court-Martial in Everett, Washington, a Petty Officer Third Class was tried for two specifications of rape. On 12 December 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Seaman Joshua K. Tavares-Somildam, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 22 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 35 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Petty Officer Second Class Joshua L. Miller, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of wrongful use and distribution of controlled substances. On 22 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3 and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 75 days is to be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Navy Region Southwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Seaman Recruit Joe A. Rendon, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of assault consummated by a battery. On 20 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 5 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement is to be disapproved.
Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Seaman Recruit Tyler J. Schraudt, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of assault consummated by a battery. On 6 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,055 per month for two months and confinement for 60 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Petty Officer Third Class Consuelo V. Padilla, USN was tried for assault consummated by a battery and disorderly conduct. On 21 December 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty = and sentenced her to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3.

Navy Region Hawaii

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Seaman Tyshun Wicker, USN pled guilty to five specifications of the wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 20 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 90 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

Navy Region Japan

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, a Seaman was tried for sexual assault. On 6 December 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Fire Controlman Stephen A. Begani, USN (retired) pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to attempted sexual assault of a child and attempted lewd acts with a child. On 1 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge and confinement for 18 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Dishonorable Discharge will be commuted to a Bad Conduct Discharge.

At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer Second Class Jeffrey M. Baker, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by battery. On 1 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $750 per month for two months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-4, and confinement for 60 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer Second Class Brian K. Eaton, jar., USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to indecent exposure. On 15 December 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Bad Conduct Discharge and all confinement greater than 30 days is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia

General Court-Martial

* None

Special Court-Martial

* None