This month there was a whole lot of court martial and ROK criminal prosecutions.  What I found interesting this month is that another soldier was found not guilty of rape which seems to be a growing trend lately.  There was another solder convicted of bar fining which he was probably only caught doing because of the bad checks he wrote.  Dumb.  And oh yeah, the guy was an Air Force Security Forces Squadron staff sergeant.  Another dumb criminal was a Captain convicted of dereliction of duty for BAH fraud.  The rest of the court martials are typical dumb stuff.

The ROK criminal prosecutions saw more of the typical bodily injury and assault cases.  The only thing of note was that two officers were convicted of DUI’s last month.  Pretty disgraceful as DUI’s continue to be a problem of mostly senior enlisted and officer ranks.

Courts-Martial Results for September 2009

At a general court-martial on 4 September 2009, Private E2 Aaron L. Wilson, Headquarters Operations Company, 525th Military Intelligence Battalion, 501st Military Intelligence Brigade, Eighth United States Army, was found not guilty of rape, adultery, involuntary manslaughter, distribution of a controlled substance, and false official statement.  He was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.  He was sentenced to reduction to E1, confinement for one year, and a bad-conduct discharge.

At a general court-martial on 9 September 2009, TSgt. (name removed by request) 51st Civil Engineer Squadron, Osan Air Base, was found guilty of willfully damaging government property of a value less than $500, of assault upon three individuals, and for drunk and disorderly conduct.  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1 and confinement for 21 days.

At a general court-martial on 10 September 2009, SSgt. George F. Shallis, III, 51st Security Forces Squadron, Osan Air Base, was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to refrain from bar fining, writing bad checks on multiple occasions, and for dishonorably failing to pay debts owed to seven Servicemembers.  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1 and confinement for 60 days.

At a special court-martial on 10 September 2009, PVT James J. Lee, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division – Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, was found guilty of being absent without leave over a period of nine months.  He was sentenced to 90 days hard labor.

At a general court-martial on 14 September 2009, CPT Dustin L. Shawcross, Bravo Company, 121st Combat Support Hospital, 65th Medical Brigade, Eighth United States Army, was found not guilty of larceny and false official statement, but guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to stop BAH and FSA entitlements.  He was sentenced to two months confinement, forfeiture of $2,400.00 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand.

At a general court-martial on 28 September 2009, PVT Tony Martin, II, Alpha Company, 302nd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, was found guilty of disobeying a lawful general order in violation of 2nd Infantry Division Command Policy Memo #8 by drinking under age and for aggravated assault intentionally causing grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to 2 years confinement and a Bad Conduct Discharge.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for September 2009

In Uijeongbu District Court on 3 September 2009, PVT Clinton M. Rhodus, HHC, 498th CSSB, was convicted of infliction of bodily injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Wonju Branch of Chuncheon District Court on 4 September 2009, PFC Francis W. Kiamco, 75th Medical Company, was convicted of infliction of bodily injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 4 September 2009, SPC 46TH Transportation Company, was convicted of aggravated assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 700,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 14 September 2009, PFC Trey R. Nicholson, 142d MP Company, was convicted of aggravated assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 17 September 2009, SSG Samonie J. Oliver, C Co, 1/38th Infantry, Ft. Lewis, WA, who was on leave in Korea, was convicted of infliction of bodily injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 700,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 21 September 2009, PVT Melvin L. Knowlton, III, HHC, STB-K, was convicted of larceny.  His adjudged sentence was a 700,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 23 September 2009, SPC Stephen C. Dodson, HHC, 501st MI Brigade, was convicted of a traffic law violation resulting in personal injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 700,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 23 September 2009, 1LT John G. Birdsong, HHC, 65th Medical Brigade, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 28 September 2009, CPT Ebenezer U. Ogbonna, 5th Medical Detachment, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.