Tag: GI Crime

Let this be lesson to people that you can’t get back at people who dump you by posting sex videos online:

A 25-year-old Kunsan-based airman has been fined for posting a sex video online after recording it without his partner’s permission.

On Jan. 13, the Jeonju District Court fined the dual U.S.-South Korean citizen 2 million won, or about $1,848, and ordered him to attend a 16-hour sexual violence therapy program for breaking a South Korean law concerning violent sexual crimes, according to sentencing documents.

Using his cell phone, the airman shot an approximately 20-second video of himself and a 25-year-old South Korean woman having sex in a hotel in July 2013. He posted the video on two websites in September and October 2014 after becoming angry at the woman.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.

Below is the latest USFK Court Martial and ROK Criminal Prosecution Results for December 2014:

Results of Court Martials for December 2014

On 4 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Yvonne S. Mayberry, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92, UCMJ); one Specification of false official statement (Article 107); two Specifications of larceny of non-military property (Article 121); and two Specifications of stealing mail in (Article 134).  She was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, confined for 20 months, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 8 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SFC William J. Delgado, 65^th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of violating a lawful general order (Article 92, UCMJ) and one specification of sexual assault (Article 120).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 36 months, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 10 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, PV2 Deandre Coleman, 2d Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of two specifications of failure to go to his appointed placed of duty, (Article 86, UCMJ), one specification of disrespect to a commissioned officer (Article 89), one specification of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92), and three specifications of larceny (Article 121).  He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to be confined for eight months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 18 December 2014, at a General Court Martial, SPC Aaron Nies, 36^th Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of sexual assault (UCMJ, Article 120), three Specifications of abusive sexual contact (Article 120), attempted sexual assault (Article 80), indecent exposure (Article 120c), and failing to obey the curfew policy (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 26 months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 19 December 2014, at a Special Court-Martial, Private First Class Timetra K. Hooks, 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of larceny of non-government property (Article 121, UCMJ); five Specifications of forgery (Article 123); and one specification of obstructing justice (Article 134).  She was sentenced to be reduced to E-1; to be confined for six months; and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for December 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 4 December 2014, CPT Sophie S. Hilaire, HHB, 8th Army, duty w/USFK, was convicted of traffic law violations.  Her adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 10 December 2014, PVT Dmitri N. Davis, HHC, 3-2 GSAB, USAG Humphreys, was found not guilty of the charges of Indecent Act by Compulsion.

In Daegu District Court on 18 December 2014, PVT Travis D. Mitchell, 551st ICTC, USAG Daegu (Carroll), was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 10,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 31 December 2014, Capt Jonathan P. Walsh, HQ, 7th Air Force (A7X), Osan Air Base, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury, Destruction and Damage of Property and Violation of the Minor Offense Act.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

Here are the November 2014 court martial results that were posted on the USFK website.

Results of Courts-Martial for November 2014

On 7 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SSG Randal C. Rucker, 65^th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of maltreatment of a subordinate (UCMJ, Article 93), four specifications of abusive sexual contact (Article 120), and one specification of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 12 months, and to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge.

On 11 November 2014, at a Special Court-Martial PFC Brandon L. Hall, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of one specification of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon (UCMJ Article 128) and one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, six months confinement, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 13 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SFC Gregory McClain, 210th Field Artillery Brigade was found guilty of one specification of failure to obey a general regulation (UCMJ, Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to the grade of Sergeant (E-5) and three months confinement.

On 19 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SGT Duane R. James, 65th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of adultery (UCMJ, Article 134).  He was sentenced to a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 20 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, CPT John G. Birdsong, 65th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of sexual assault (UCMJ, Article 120) and one specification of failing to obey a lawful general regulation (UCMJ, Article 92).  He was sentenced to confinement for 24 months and to be dismissed from the service.

On 24 November 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, SFC Christopher L. Martinez, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, was found guilty of one specification of abusive sexual contact (UCMJ, Article 120) and one specification of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-6 and forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for November 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 7 November 2014, Airman Willie S. Ford, Jr., 51st CPTS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of Obstruction of Performance of Official Duties and Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, MSgt Reginald G. Burks, 51st AMXS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, MSgt David R. Sands, 607th SPTS/CSS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, SSgt David J. Torrey, 303d IS/DOA, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 21 November 2014, SSG Alan D. McNicholas, HHC, 2/9th Infantry, USAG Casey, was convicted of Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 21 November 2014, SGT Crisoforo T. Trujillo, HHC,  2-2 Assault, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of Larceny and DUI.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.

In Suwon District Court on 26 November 2014, PFC Nico A. Pierce, 4-58th AOB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 26 November 2014, SFC Nathaniel J. Goza, A Co, 719th MI BN, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 4,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 4 February 2014, SGT Walter L. Thomas, B Btry, 1/15th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury, Assault and Destruction of Property.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.  The Soldier demanded a formal trial but withdrew the request on 24 November 2014.

Here are the court martial results for October 2014 that were posted on the USFK website.

Results of Army Courts-Martial in Eighth US Army for October 2014

On 24 September 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, MSG Phillip T. Whatley, 501^st Military Intelligence Brigade, was convicted of two specifications of violating a lawful general regulation/order (UCMJ Article 92), and one specification of engaging in drunk and disorderly conduct (Article 134).  He was sentenced to sixteen days of restriction and forfeiture of $3,178.47 in pay.

On 1 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private (E-1) Jaleel Mcleod, 498th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of one specification of Insubordinate Conduct toward an NCO (UCMJ Article 91), and one specification of Willful Damage of Military Property (Article 108).  He was sentenced to forfeiture of $500.00 pay for one month and to be confined for thirty days.

On 1 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private First Class Kenneth S. Smith, 498th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of one specification of Failure to go to Appointed Place of Duty, (UCMJ Article 86); one specification of Disrespect towards a Superior Commissioned Officer, (Article 89); two specifications of Insubordinate Conduct toward an NCO; and one specification of Failure to Obey a Lawful Order (Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to Private (E-1); Forfeiture of $1,021.00 for one month; and to be confined for thirty days.

On 6 October2014, at a General Courts-Martial, PV2 Luis A. Ruizperez, HSC, HHB, Eighth Army, was found guilty on one specification of Sexual Assault (UCMJ Article 120) and one specification of Adultery (Article 134).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 3 years, and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 6 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Sergeant (E-5) Olarewaju O. Taiwo, 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of two specifications of Failure to Obey a Lawful Order, (UCMJ Article 92); two specifications of False Official Statement (Article 107); four specifications of Abusive Sexual Contact (Article 120); and one specification of Adultery (Article 134).  He was sentenced to reduction to Specialist, to forfeiture of $1,923.00 pay for one month; and to restriction to the limits of Camp Stanley for one month.

On 20 October 2014, at a General Court-Martial, PFC David M. Tompkins, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of four specifications of aggravated assault (UCMJ Article 128), four specifications of assault consummated by battery (Article 128), and willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer (Article 90).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, a Bad Conduct Discharge, and to be confined for 22 months.

On 23 October 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SGT Alan A. Galeana, 121 Combat Support Hospital, 65^th Medical Brigade, was found guilty on one specification of Violation of a Lawful Order (Fraternization, UCMJ Article 92) and two specifications of Assault Consummated by a Battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, to be confined for 3 months, and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 29 October, at a General Court-Martial, SPC Travis W. Cloke, 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, 2d Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division was found guilty of two specifications of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child, (UCMJ Article 80) Distributing Child Pornography (Article 134), and Possessing Child Pornography (Article 134).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, a Dishonorable Discharge, and to be confined for three years.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for October 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 14 October 2014, MSG Mary A. Mitchell, HHC, 501st MI Brigade, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of DUI.  Her adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 14 October 2014, SPC Anjaya J. Peters, F TAB, 3/33d TAB, 1/38th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 16 October 2014, SSG James W. Wright, Jr., E Btry, 6/52d ADA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Indecent Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 16 October 2014, PFC Jesse J. Espinoza, B Btry, 1/15th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Assault upon a Driver in Motion.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 22 October 2014, SFC Zachary L. Chappell, A Co, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Daegu District Court on 22 October 2014, SSG William C. Bradburry, a member of 19th SFG, Fort Carson (in Korea for UFG), was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 5,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 29 October 2014, CW3 Juan B. Sablan, D Co, 2-2 Assault, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 200,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 29 October 2014, MSG Scott R. Fuller, HSC, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Forgery of Private Document, Uttering the Forged Private Document and Obstruction of Performance of Official Duties by Fraudulent Means.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 8 months, not suspended.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 30 October 2014, PFC Richard R. Davis, HHD, 23d CBRNE Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 30 October 2014, MAJ John S. Kasper, B Co, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

Below are the USFK Court Martial and ROK Criminal Prosecution Results for September 2014 that were posted on the USFK website.  Of interest in September was that a Captain refused to take the breathalyzer test and was convicted of this crime.  He received a 5,000,000 won fine which is steeper than the usual 3,000,000 won fine DUI convictions usually receive.  However, he doesn’t get a DUI conviction on his record.  Is that worth 2,000,000 won?  Probably if refusing the breathalyzer doesn’t get him kicked out of the Army. Then 1-38 FA had three soldiers get convicted of obstruction to include one soldier for also performing an indecent act and had to register as a sex offender.  I wonder what that soldier did to the KNPs to get that punishment?

Below are the USFK court martial and ROK criminal prosection results for August 2014 that were posted on the USFK website.  The court martial results have a number of sex offender cases with a couple of people actually found not guilty of the crimes.  Then in the ROK criminal prosecution there is a major that was convicted of an indecent at and has to take sex offender classes and register as a sex offender.  He looks like a candidate now for officer cuts, but I wonder if the sex offender label in Korea follows him to the US as well?  That would be worse punishment than being discharged from the Army in my opinion.

The sentencing of these three soldiers may appear to be light but from my experience the sentences are consistent with what a Korean would have received in similar circumstances:

SEOUL, South Korea — Three 2nd Infantry Division soldiers were given suspended sentences Wednesday — essentially putting them on probation — for causing a drunken disturbance at a South Korean water park.
The division later issued a statement that said situations such as the May 31 incident at Everland theme park’s Caribbean Bay attraction undermine the volunteer work other 2ID soldiers perform in the community, from serving in soup kitchens to distributing coal and volunteering at orphanages.
“I will not allow careless acts of indiscipline to tarnish 2ID reputation and our strong relationship with our Korean neighbors,” division commander Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal said in the statement.
Three Camp Casey-based soldiers — Pvt. Marcus Cobb, Pfc. Alex Wilkerson and Spc. Nicholas Myers — were sentenced to six months on convictions of obstruction of performance of official duties. (Stars and Stripes via reader tip)

You can read more at the link but the judge may have also considered the punishment the U.S. military will give to these soldiers which hopefully will include bars to reenlistment. We do not need people like this in the ranks that want to act like children instead of being the professionals they are expected to be.

Talk about a bunch of hyperbole from the mayor of Uijongbu:

The Uijeongbu mayor boycotted a friendship concert at Camp Red Cloud last week after a 2nd Infantry Division soldier allegedly assaulted a taxi driver.

A second incident further exacerbated simmering resentment among local residents at what they see as a never-ending string of crimes by American soldiers, said a spokesman for Mayor Ahn Byung Yong.

2ID commander Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal apologized in writing and in a telephone conversation with Ahn. Brig. Gen. Richard Kim, assistant division commander for maneuver, met with the mayor.

The soldier, identified by Uijeongbu police as a sergeant, is suspected of assaulting a taxi driver shortly after midnight on Sept. 2 on a road near the base’s back gate. The driver was taken to a hospital after losing control and running onto a curb. No information on his injuries was available………….

Another soldier was accused of flirting with a 26-year-old South Korean woman around 10 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Hoeryong Station, one stop from Uijeongbu, then shoving her toward a wall………………

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say people can’t step out onto the street at night. But they are nervous, and they are scared (of U.S. soldiers),” he said.  [Stars & Stripes]

So two minor drunken incidents involving US soldiers means there is a crime wave and Koreans need to run in fear of every soldier they see?  With thousands of US soldiers stationed and rotating through Korea there is always going to be crime committed by US soldiers just like there is crime committed by Koreans.  Has the mayor eliminated all crime in Uijongbu? You know how many drunken Koreans I have seen on the subway push people?  Heck how many drunk ajushis have gotten into shoving matches just on the sidewalks?  Is the mayor going to grandstand and make an issue of that?

What matters in all of this is how these incidents are dealt with.  There is no doubt that the 2ID leadership takes these incidents very seriously and will comply with the SOFA to have them properly investigated compared to if a Korean gets pushed on the subway by another Korean likely nothing would ever come of it.