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

Naval District Washington

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Washington, DC, Petty Officer 3rd Class Xavier Guerra, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to possessing child pornography, distributing child pornography, and soliciting the rape of a child. On 8 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 8 years. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 36 months is to be suspended. The suspended punishment may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a General Court-Martial in Washington, DC, an E-6 was tried for sexual assault and abusive sexual contact. On 30 November 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

Special Court-Martial

* None.


Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman Kareem I. Diggs, USN, was tried for two specifications of sexual assault and indecent visual recording. On 18 November 2017, the panel of members found him guilty of indecent visual recording and sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit $2,125.80 pay per month for 3 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 6 months.

* At a General Court-Martial in Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman Alex J. Hines, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to sexual harassment, false official statement, and assault consummated by a battery. On 20 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 19 months. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 18 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, Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas G. Colton, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to fraudulent enlistment, two specifications of wrongful possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of justice, and assault consummated by a battery. On 28 November 2017, 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. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.


Navy Region Southeast

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Jacksonville, Florida, Chief Warrant Officer Jason M. Boyett, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conduct unbecoming an officer and adultery. On 8 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to a letter of reprimand, to forfeit $1000 per month for one month, and restriction for 30 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pensacola, Florida, Petty Officer 1st Class Jesus A. Cervantes, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to failure to obey a lawful order and communicating a threat. On 15 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-4 and confinement for 60 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Jacksonville, Florida, Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Bollinger, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to four specifications of wrongful appropriation and wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 27 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,000 per month for five months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 150 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 60 days is to be suspended and remitted. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.


Navy Region Northwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Seaman Caleb E. Beckner, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; failure to obey a general order; five specifications of wrongful use, introduction, and distribution of a controlled substance; two specifications of underage consumption of alcohol; and obstruction of justice. On 21 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 9 months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard L. Medlen III, USN, was tried for unauthorized absence from unit, eight specifications of making false official statements, and malingering. On 8 November 2017, the panel of members found him guilty of all charges and sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, a fine of $17,004.00, and confinement for 12 months if the fine is not paid.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, an E-5 was tried for failure to go to appointed place of duty. On 15 November 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Airman Apprentice Arthur P. Van Housen, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, failure to obey an order, and two specifications of wrongful use and distribution of a controlled substance. On 21 November 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. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.

* At a Special Court-Martial in Bremerton, Washington, Chief Petty Officer Wesley R. Square, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to three specifications of wrongful introduction, possession and use of a controlled substance. On 22 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-6. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.


Navy Region Southwest

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, an E-5 was tried for four specifications of abusive sexual contact and one specification of attempted rape. On 8 November 2017, a panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Petty Officer 2nd Class Pedro A. Perez, USN, pled guilty to five specifications of violation of a lawful general order and four specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 15 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 13 months.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Seaman Recruit Cameron D. Goins, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of failure to obey an order and one specification of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 14 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, all confinement greater than 60 days will be suspended. The suspended confinement may be served if the Service Member violates the terms of the pretrial agreement.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, Petty Officer 3rd Class Shad D. Hernandez, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to two specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 29 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to confinement for 120 days. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

* At a Special Court-Martial in San Diego, California, an E-4 was tried for wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 30 November 2017, a panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.


Navy Region Hawaii

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, HI, an E-6 was tried for sexual assault and attempted sexual assault. On 3 November 2017, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.

* At a General Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, HI, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ethan Landin, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to assault consummated by a battery. On 9 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, to forfeit all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for six months. The pretrial agreement had no effect on the sentence.

Special Court-Martial

* At a Special Court-Martial in Pearl Harbor, HI, Fireman Daniel Legate, USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to three specifications of wrongful use of a controlled substance. On 8 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to the paygrade E-1, and confinement for 90 days. Pursuant to the pretrial agreement, the punitive discharge will be disapproved and all confinement in excess of 75 days will be suspended. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.


Navy Region Japan

General Court-Martial

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer 2nd Class Charlene Hayes, USN, was tried for sexual assault, abusive sexual contact and false official statement. On 16 November 2017, the panel of members found her guilty of false official statement and sentenced her to forfeit $1275 per month for 1 month, reduction in rank to paygrade E-4, restriction for 30 days and confinement for 30 days.

* At a General Court-Martial in Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer 3rd Class Kendell Henry, Jr., USN, pled guilty pursuant to a pretrial agreement to false official statement and assault consummated by a battery. On 29 November 2017, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $750 per month for 3 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-3, and confinement for 90 days. The Service Member is being processed for administrative separation.

Special Court-Martial

* None.


Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia

General Court-Martial

* None.

Special Court-Martial

* None.