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

Naval District Washington

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* None.


Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman Recruit Austin A. Hill, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 4 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $525.00 pay per month for 3 months, and confinement for 73 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than time already served (56 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.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan C. Arles, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possession of child pornography. On 12 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 315 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Airman Apprentice Justin R. Heidrich, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to credit card fraud. On 27 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 4 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 89 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 Great Lakes, Illinois, Chief Petty Officer Kemo C. Devore, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to five specifications of fraternization and maltreatment of a subordinate. On 18 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-1 and confinement for 5 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement is to be disapproved and any reduction below the paygrade E-6 is to be suspended and remitted. The suspended portion of the sentence may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Great Lakes, Illinois, Senior Chief Petty Officer Matthew S. Thomas, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to fraternization. On 19 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1000.00 per month for 5 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-7, and confinement for 45 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all forfeitures and confinement will be suspended. The suspended punishment 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, Pvt. Jay C. McCuen, USMC pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to unauthorized absences, violation of a protective order, false official statements, indecent exposure to a child, and indecent language to a child. On 16 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 2 years. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

* At a General Court-Martial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ensign Brock G. Mason, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, production of child pornography, and sexual abuse of a child. On 24 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to a Dismissal and confinement for 8 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, which considered the fact that Ensign Mason is serving an 18-year sentence in civilian confinement, all confinement will 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 Pensacola, Florida, Hospitalman Brandon C. Lightsey, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery. On 26 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 120 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Mayport, Florida, Petty Officer 3rd Class Wesley D. Durham, USN was tried for aggravated assault. On 4 October 2017, a panel of members found him guilty of the lesser included offense of assault consummated by a battery and sentenced him to forfeit $400.00 per month for 6 months.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Jacksonville, Florida, Seaman Apprentice Billie A. D. Nielsen, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful use of a controlled substance, wrongful introduction of a controlled substance, and unauthorized absence. On 10 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $1,000 per month for 6 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 6 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the Bad Conduct Discharge will be disapproved and all confinement in excess of 65 days will 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.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Jacksonville, Florida, Lt. Cmdr. Warren D. Karr IV, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to dereliction of duty. On 19 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared O. Mannis, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to wrongful distributions of a controlled substance. On 26 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 150 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on his sentence.


Navy Region Northwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, an E-4 was tried for sexual assault. On 4 October 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Seaman Jose J. Amaro, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of sexual assault. On 12 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 5 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 24 months is to be suspended and only a Bad Conduct Discharge is to be approved. 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 Bremerton, Washington, Seaman Recruit Tylar A. Cargile, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to unauthorized absence and wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 17 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,000.00 per month for 6 months, and confinement for 6 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all 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. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob R. Flores, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of dereliction of duty and for falsely signing an official record. On 25 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 30 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 3rd Class Eric L. Bruns, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault. On 26 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 5 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 90 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 Joe A. Rendon, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to false official statement, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and two specifications of assault consummated by a battery. On 20 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction to paygrade E-1, and to confinement for 2 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement all confinement greater than 18 months will 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.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Seaman Steven E. Ibarra, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to dereliction of duty and two specifications of assault consummated by battery. On 11 October 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-2 and confinement for 90 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.


Navy Region Hawaii

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Norwood, USN was tried for sexual abuse of a child. On 12 October 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty for sexual abuse of a child and sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 18 months.

Special Court-Martial

* None.


Navy Region Japan

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer 2nd Class Eduardo Herrera, USN was tried for sexual assault and abusive sexual contact. On 19 October 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty for abusive sexual contact. The panel of members sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 90 days.

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Airman Johnnie C. Prater, Jr., USN was tried for false official statements, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, and assault consummated by a battery. On 27 October 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty for false official statements, abusive sexual contact, and sexual assault. The panel of members sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, forfeit all pay and allowances for 36 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 3 years.

Special Court-Martial

* None.


Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Naples, Italy, Seaman Christian M. Holmes, USN pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of violation of a lawful orders for possessing drug paraphernalia and using a device designed to defeat the Navy's drug testing program, wrongful use of a controlled substance, two specifications of wrongful introduction of a controlled substance onto a military installation, and larceny. On 2 October 2017 the military judge sentenced Seaman Holmes 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 180 days is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.