Tag: crime

Nine 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers Punished for Involvement in Itaewon Brawl

| May 4, 2016

A bunch of 2nd Infantry Division soldiers have apparently made themselves eligible for Army downsizing after being punished for the brawl they were part of at the UN Club in Itaewon:

The Army has punished nine soldiers for a brawl in Seoul’s Itaewon entertainment district, a 2nd Infantry Division spokesman said Tuesday.

 

Video that has been circulating on social media since shortly after the January fight shows a group of foreigners brawling in the street in front of the UN Club, a nightspot popular with U.S. troops that’s a few minutes’ walk from Yongsan Garrison, headquarters of 8th Army and U.S. Forces Korea.

 

The brawl involved both men and women trading punches and wrestling on the ground, oblivious to the efforts of a lone, bespectacled South Korean police officer to bring the situation under control with a glowing-red traffic wand.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read the rest at the link, but here is the Youtube video of the brawl, what disgrace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEtOGx1PDSc

Korean Man Arrested for Multiple Rapes in California

| April 20, 2016

People should be careful who they meet up with through Kakao:

A Korean man in his 20s got arrested for having multiple sexual activities with underage girls that he met through the social network.

Anaheim police department arrested a Korean man Mr. Kim last 29th of March for having sexual relationships and raping teen girls.

According to the Anaheim police, Kim contacted a 13-year-old girl through messaging app on the phone in 2014.

Kim then met the teen girl at a shopping mall in Irvine and took her to his house in La Habra and raped her.

The Anaheim police officers started sting operation and engaged in social network with Mr. Kim, disguised as the girl. Kim, thinking the officers were teenage girl, sent photos of his private body parts and offered her to have sexual activities.

Kim went out to the park in Anaheim not realizing the girl was actually the police officer and was arrested.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.

Article Claims that Two Soldiers Received Greatly Different Sentences for the Same Crime

| April 14, 2016

Here is another example of a race baiting article being pushed by the media insinuating that the poor black soldier in this article that could not afford an attorney is some how getting treated unfairly compared to the white soldier who’s family could afford a civilian attorney.  The article claims they committed similar crimes and received very different sentences.  However, upon closer scrutiny the two crimes were very different and tried in different court systems thus different outcomes not that facts matter in click bait articles like this:

Two soldiers from the same Joint Base Lewis-McChord infantry battalion experienced two very different kinds of justice when they came home from training events a year apart and carried out deadly crimes.

Pvt. Jeremiah Hill, prosecuted in Army court, received a sentence of 45 years in prison for knifing another soldier in the heart on a Lakewood street.

The rookie soldier from a poor Chicago family had an Army-provided defense attorney and rarely showed remorse when he testified.

Spc. Skylar Nemetz, prosecuted in Pierce County Superior Court, last week received a sentence of less than 14 years for causing the death of his wife, Danielle, when he accidentally shot her in the head with a rifle.

His Northern California family reached deep into their savings to hire an experienced private attorney. Nemetz wept on the witness stand and persuaded a jury he didn’t mean to kill his wife.

The disparities in outcomes for two soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment show the differences in what can happen when the Army and Pierce County carry out their informal agreement to decide which agency should prosecute soldiers who commit crimes outside of JBLM. [News Tribune]

You can read the rest at the link to learn the details of each case.

USFK Court Martial Results for March 2016

| April 12, 2016

Here are the USFK court martial results and ROK criminal prosecutions for March 2016.  For whatever reason the PAO did not post the February 2016 results.  Anyway there was a lot of incidents adjudicated in March which included mostly sexual assault and petty larceny cases.  I wonder what all the people convicted of larceny were caught doing?

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Results of US Court-Martials for March 2016

On 1 March 2016, at a Special Court-Martial, SGT Eliejaiah I. Belton, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Eighth Army, was found guilty of one specification of abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ), two specifications of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128), one specification of unlawful entry (Article 134), one specification of adultery (Article 134), one specification of wearing improper uniform (Article 134), four specifications of maltreatment of a subordinate (Article 93), and one specification of violating a lawful general regulation (Article 92). He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to forfeit $687 per month for three months, and to be confined for three months.

On 2 March 2016, at a General Court-Martial, SGT Patrick L. Clark, 6th Ordinance Battalion, Materiel Support Command-Korea, was found guilty of one specification of committing a sexual assault and one specification of committing an abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ). He was sentenced to be confined for 25 months and to be discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

On 11 March 2016, at a Summary Court-Martial, PVT Richard E. Potter, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128, UCMJ). He was sentenced to forfeiture of $696.00 pay per month for one month and to be restricted for 45 days.

On 12 March 2016, at a Special Court-Martial, SFC Jeffrey L. Cupitt, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of larceny of government property of a value over $500 (Article 121, UCMJ) and four specifications of false official statement (Article 107). He was sentenced to be confined for four months and to be reprimanded.

On 14 March 2016, at a Special Court-Martial, SGT Maria E. Rosario, 121 Combat Support Hospital, 65th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of two specifications of larceny, each of a value under $500 (Article 121, UCMJ). She was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-3, and to be restricted for 60 days.

On 24 March 2016, at a General Court-Martial, SPC Danny J. Jackson, 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Materiel Support Command-Korea, was found guilty of one specification of sexual assault and one specification of abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ), one specification of false official statement (Article 107), and two specifications of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128). He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to forfeit all pay and allowances, to be confined for twelve months, and to be discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

On 31 March 2016, at a Special Court-Martial, SGM Terrence S. Ellies, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Eighth Army, was found guilty of one specification of larceny of military property of under $500 (Article 121, UCMJ), and three specifications of false official statement (Article 107). He was sentenced to be reprimanded, to pay a fine of $1,200, and to forfeit $4,644 per month for two months.

On 31 March 2016, at a General Court-Martial, SSG Thomas M. Weekly, 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2d Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two specifications of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128, UCMJ) and unlawful entry (Article 134). He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-4, and to be confined for 6 months.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for March 2016

In Busan District Court, on 2 March 2016, SFC Curtis W. Turner, B Co, 532d MI Bn, was convicted of DUI. His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court, on 23 March 2016, SPC Shanna C. S. McLaurin, HHC, 304th ESB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of traffic law violations. Her adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

Korean Court Denies Man’s Appeal of Five Year Incestuous Rape Sentence

| April 10, 2016

At least the Korean courts have decided to keep this dirt bag in jail.  I can remember the days when the Korean courts were so weak on sexual assault that they were letting rapists routinely go free:

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The Seoul High Court turned down a sexually abusive stepfather’s appeal for a lighter sentence Sunday.

The convicted, 48, was charged for abusing his sleeping stepdaughter, 25, and later threatening her with physical violence in an attempt to prevent her from alerting authorities.

In the original trial he received five years in prison for incestuous sexual assault, but later appealed, saying his sentence was too heavy.

The appeals court turned down his plea in a decision saying, “The nature of the defendant’s crime is malignant as he had not only sexually assaulted his own stepdaughter, but also threatened her with a weapon to cover up his crime.”  [Korea Herald]

Korean Man Held In Federal Detention In Hawaii for Violent Outburst On Plane, Followed By Urinating On Himself

| April 1, 2016

Some people should not be allowed to board a airplane.  This story makes me wonder if alcohol was in any way involved or if he is just an old guy with mental issues?:

 A Japan-bound airplane returned to Hawaii because of a violent passenger who wanted to do yoga instead of sit in his seat, the FBI said.

The pilot of the March 26 United Airlines flight from Honolulu International Airport to Narita International Airport turned the plane around after hearing that Hyongtae Pae was yelling at crew members and shoving his wife, the FBI said in a criminal complaint.

Pae told the FBI he didn’t want to sit in his seat during the meal service, so he went to the back of the plane to do yoga and meditate. He became angry when his wife and flight attendants told him to return to his seat. “Pae pushed his wife because she was trying to make him stop,” the complaint said. “He felt that she was siding with the flight crew.”

He tried to head-butt and bite Marines who were passengers on the flight and tried to force him back to his seat, Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching said at Pae’s detention hearing Wednesday.

According to the complaint, he threatened to kill passengers and was yelling that there is no god.

Pae went into a rage because he felt the flight crew was ordering him around, Ching said.

Ching said Pae shouldn’t be released because he’s a danger to his wife, himself and others. Pae urinated on himself and was on suicide watch at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, Ching said.  [Associated Press]

You can read more at the link.

Navy Officer Accused of Assaulting Japanese Woman for 90 Minutes on Airplane

| March 22, 2016

More bad news for US Forces Japan.  The strangest thing to me about this story is how do you assault someone for 90 minutes on airplane?:

 A Navy lieutenant was arrested Friday following allegations that he groped and punched a female passenger aboard a Japan-bound flight, police and Navy officials said.

The lieutenant, 33, assigned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, is suspected of touching the 19-year-old college student’s clothed thigh, then punching her in the head several times during a flight from San Diego to Narita International Airport, an airport police spokesman said.

Police allege the officer assaulted the woman for about 90 minutes aboard the Japan Airlines flight, beginning around 11 a.m. Thursday, according to police and media reports.

The woman changed seats after another passenger reported the incident to a flight attendant, police said.

The officer had been drinking on the flight, though how much he had consumed is unclear, the police spokesman said.

Police arrested the lieutenant and took him into custody shortly after midnight, following an investigation that began after the plane arrived Thursday afternoon.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read the rest of this crazy story at the link.

 

USFK Court Martial Results for January 2016

| March 4, 2016

Below are the January 2016 USFK Court Martial and ROK criminal prosecution results results from the USFK website.  Really nothing of interest this month other than a Lieutenant Colonel being convicted of larceny and fined $20,000.  The results did not specify what he did, but I would not be surprised if it was BAH fraud.  You can read the rest below:

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Results of US Court-Martials for January 2016

On 5 January 2016, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private (E-2) Emanuel C. Morrison, 94th Military Battalion, Material Support Center-Korea, was found guilty of one specification of committing abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ). His adjudged sentence was to be reduced to the grade of E-1; to forfeit $1,049.00 pay for one month; and to be confined for 30 days.

On 12 January 2016, at a Special Court-Martial, Staff Sergeant Kenneth S. Clark, 121 Combat Support Hospital, 65th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of larceny (Article 121, UCMJ). He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-4, to forfeit $1,200 per month for three months, and to be confined for 90 days.

On 14 January 2016, at a General Court-Martial, Lieutenant Colonel Halbert Brown, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Eighth Army, was found guilty of two specifications of larceny (Article 120, UCMJ), and four specifications of false official statement (Article 107). He was sentenced to be reprimanded and to be fined $20,000.

On 20 January 2016, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private (E-1) Kiwon C. Butts, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of one specification failure to go to formation (Article 86, UCMJ), and two specifications of disobeying a lawful general order or regulation (Article 92). He was sentenced to forfeit $1,044.00 and to be confined for 30 days.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for January 2016

In Uijeongbu District Court, on 7 January 2016, SPC Myeshia M. Hendrix, 618th Dental Co, USAG Casey, was convicted of traffic law violations. Her adjudged sentence was a 700,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court, on 8 January 2016, PFC Vaughn W. Herrald, E Co, 2-2 AHB-16, was convicted of Intrusion upon Habitation. His adjudged sentence was a 500,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court, on 13 January 2016, Capt John M. Pulli, 303d IS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI. His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court, on 18 January 2016, SSG Jerill JC Cotton, 630th CCT, 411th CSB, Osan Air Base, withdrew his request for a formal trial and thus the DUI conviction and 5,000,000 Won fine through the summary order became final.

In Seoul Central District Court, on 22 January 2016, 1Lt Daniel J. Brom, 8th FW, Kunsan Air Base, was convicted of Destruction and Damage of Property. His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court, on 27 January 2016, MSG Channon W. Green, HHC, MSC-K, USAG Daegu (Carroll), was convicted of traffic law violations. His adjudged sentence was a 4,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court, on 28 January 2016, PV2 Audrea N. Johnson, C Co, 304th ESB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury. His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

Man Who Dressed As A Woman Caught Robbing Men In Itaewon

| February 24, 2016

This is one of these crime stories just begging for a picture, but I could not find one unfortunately:

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Yongsan police have arrested a man who dressed as a woman to steal money and valuables from drunken people in Itaewon.

The man, identified as Kim, 44, allegedly stole a credit card, an identification card and a smartphone from a man, identified as Choi, 46, when he fell asleep at 2 p.m. on Jan. 28.

The two had been drinking together at a pub in Itaewon, police said.

Kim allegedly stole 1.5 million won from three men in Itaewon and the Incheon area last December.

Police said Kim dressed like a woman and befriended men to steal money when they were drunk. He allegedly used stolen identity cards to obtain credit cards, and also bought smartphones. [Korea Times]

Korean Pastor Kills 13-Year Old Daughter and Keeps Body In House for 10 Months

| February 5, 2016

The horrible crime where parents in Bucheon killed and dismembered their 7-year old son led to a nationwide investigation of kids who stopped attending school.  This investigation caused police to uncover another horrible crime:

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The mummified body of a girl who stopped attending middle school more than 10 months ago was discovered by police in a room surrounded by air fresheners Wednesday.

The Bucheon Sosa Police Precinct on Wednesday arrested the girl’s parents on suspicions of child abuse and murder. Under questioning, the father, a 47-year-old pastor surnamed Lee, admitted to beating the 13-year-old for five hours with a broomstick on March 17 last year. He and the stepmother, surnamed Baek, later found the daughter dead, covered her in blankets and kept the body inside their house for over 10 months.

Baek’s 39-year-old younger sister was also arrested Wednesday on suspected abuse charges.

The girl did not get along with her stepmother, aged 40, and lived with her step-aunt starting in 2012. She ran away from the step-aunt’s home on March 15 last year and called on a former elementary school teacher. The teacher brought her to her parents.

“I asked her why she had run away from her aunt’s home, hit her with a broomstick and a drying rack to discipline her, and told her to go to sleep,” Lee told police in the first round of questioning. “I took a nap in another room and woke up to find her dead.”

Lee and Baek refused to provide a statement on why they kept the body in a room in the house for nearly a year.

The discovery was the result of an ongoing police investigation of 220 children who have been missing from school for unknown reasons. The investigation was sparked by the case of an 11-year-old girl who had been held captive by her parents and starved for two years in Incheon last December. Police have already discovered another grisly find: the remains of a 7-year-old boy were found in his parents’ freezer years after he had stopped attending school. That incident also occurred in Bucheon, Gyeonggi.  [Joong Ang Ilbo]

You can read more at the link.