Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas Cosponsored the Military Justice Improvement Act; Says Shouldn’t Have to Report Crime to Boss, Wants MJIA in Place If Daughters Join (July 16, 2013)

On July 16, 2013June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (June 4, 2013)

Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (July 16, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (July 16, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military -Senator Ted Cruz (November 6, 2013)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stops by to talk about what she’s doing to protect our soilders from military sexual assault. Find out why she’s getting support from both sides of the aisle and tune in to hear from a survivor. -Katie Couric (November 19, 2013)

Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military (November 20, 2013)

Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz joined the New York Democrat in support of taking the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. -The Washington Examiner (February 18, 2014)

Senator Ted Cruz speaks out in support of a military sexual assault bill that was blocked in the Senate. -CNN (March 6, 2014)

Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference -Senator Ted Cruz (December 2, 2014)

[Full Video] Senator Gillibrand was joined by Senators Grassley, Blumenthal, Cruz and Wyden to discuss next steps in the effort to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act. -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (June 16, 2015)

Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference. -Senator Ted Cruz (June 16, 2015)

Ted Cruz speaks out on sexual assault in the military. -CNN (April 1, 2016)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is reaching across the aisle to prevent military officers from reaching into their subordinates’ pants. #passMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)

Support the Military Justice Improvement Act, and help protect our privates’ privates. #PassMJIA -Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (June 7, 2016)

Video Links:
Sen. Ted Cruz Q&A in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Sexual Assaults in the Military
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Senate Coalition to End Military Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Sen. Gillibrand’s Push to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military
Sen. Ted Cruz Joins Sen. Gillibrand in Press Conference on Preventing Sexual Assault in the Military
Senator Kirsten’s Gillibrand’s Measure to Protect Our Soldiers From Sexual Assault
Sen. Ted Cruz Speaks In Favor of Gillibrand Amendment to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military
Gillibrand grabs crucial support for military sexual assault bill
Sen. Ted Cruz at MJIA Press Conference
Sen. Cruz: They didn’t sign up to be sexually assaulted
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference (6/16/2015)
Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Sen. Ted Cruz at Military Justice Improvement Act Press Conference
Military Sexual Assault HRG-Cruz: Not Working
#passMJIA | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS
The “Ted Cruz Caress” Challenge | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | TBS

‘Bath Salts,’ ‘Spice’ and U.S. Military: Are Service Members Abusing Synthetic Drugs? | National Geographic (July 9, 2013)

On July 9, 2013June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Military Policy, Navy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

“An undercover investigation for National Geographic explores the availability of powerful synthetic drugs, with names like “spice” and “bath salts,” and its popularity among members of the U.S. military. For the next installment of National Geographic’s “Inside: Secret America” series, which takes an in-depth look at how people can easily purchase synthetic drugs, investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller went undercover with a former Marine and a Marine on active duty in San Diego to local smoke shops as they purchased bath salts.” Read more from National Geographic here.

The Christian Science Monitor | Sexual assault: Women lawmakers push for change in US military (June 1, 2013)

On June 1, 2013May 28, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Sen Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) stands by Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) at the introduction of the Military Justice Improvement Act (May 16, 2013)

Sexual assault: Women lawmakers push for change in US military

“Sexual assault in the US military is accelerating toward likely change in the way such cases are handled by senior uniformed officers – which is to say, it may be taken out of their hands. It’s a function of changing public attitudes regarding military service and sexual misconduct beyond ‘he said, she said’ – given greater strength by the growing ranks of women in senior elected positions.

In Congress, women lawmakers are leading the charge, pushing legislation that would take the authority to investigate and punish instances of sexual assault out of the chain of command, away from commanding officers whose potential conflict of interest may favor the military’s ‘good order and discipline’ as it applies to unit cohesion and war-fighting ability over vigorously prosecuting sexual offenders in the ranks, including fellow officers.”

Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here.

Active Duty Marine Nathaniel Cosby Murdered Ivanice Harris in Hawaii; Sentenced to Life in Prison by Military Courts (May 17, 2013)

On May 17, 2013May 4, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Scandals, USMCLeave a comment

Ivanice Harris and Nathaniel Cosby, US Marine Corps

The dead body of tourist Ivanice ‘Ivy’ Harris was discovered at Yokohama Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii on May 20th, 2013. Ivy was living in Nevada but was originally a native of Portland, Oregon; she was four weeks pregnant. Ivy’s friends and family initiated a search after she disappeared on May 16th while celebrating her 29th birthday in Hawaii with her boyfriend, also her pimp. According to Ivy’s memorial, she died on May 17th. Ivy’s death was officially ruled a homicide by the medical examiner’s office; she died of a neck injury. Hawaii police conducted a thorough investigation that led to an active duty Marine on temporary duty assignment in Hawaii. Master Sgt. Nathaniel Cosby, 39, was an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-171 in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing based out of Iwakumi, Japan. Cosby was arrested at the airport (destination unknown) and charged with Ivy Harris’ murder. After released by the Honolulu Police Department, Cosby was temporarily assigned to an aircraft unit in Kaneohe, Hawaii and according to a Marine spokesman, free to come and go as he pleased.

At some point it appears the civilian authorities deferred to the miitary because Cosby was court martialed by the Marines for the second degree murder of Ivy Harris. Cosby was an active duty Marine therefore he could be tried by the civilians, the military, or both. During the course of the legal proceedings, Cosby admitted to a confrontation with Ivy Harris over money in his hotel room after a night of drinking. He claimed Ivy demanded money then pulled out a knife after he attempted to get out of the room so he put her in a chokehold and killed her in self defense. He got rid of her body to avoid embarrassment to his family and to the Marine Corps. According to court testimony, he was unable to give a blow-by-blow description of the struggle, describing the scene as ‘chaos’. An 8-member military panel found Nathaniel Cosby guilty of second degree murder, obstructing justice, and attempting to patronize a prostitute. The panel recommended life in prison and a dishonorable discharge pending final approval by the convening authority, the Marine Forces Pacific commander. Cosby will serve his life sentence at the maximum-security military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

“After being released by HPD, he was temporarily assigned to an aircraft unit at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, where a U.S. Marines spokesman said he will be free to come and go as he pleases like all other Marines.” –Hawaii News Now

The medical examiner confirms the Oregon woman whose body was found in west Oahu was murdered. Ivanice “Ivy” Harris was found dead four days after she went missing in Waikiki. -KITV4

Related Links:
Obituary: Ivanice Jo’Ruth “Ivy” Harris Greer
In Memory of Ivanice Harris
Friends and Family of missing Oregon woman ask the public for help
Naked body of Oregon woman found washed up on Hawaii beach
Police identify woman killed at Yokohama Bay
Body discovered near Yokohama Bay identified as missing tourist
Body Of Portland Woman Missing In Hawaii Found On Beach
Body of missing Portland woman found in Hawaii
Oregon woman found dead in Hawaii was pregnant
Jewelry tip led to arrest in Ivy Harris case
Hawaii police arrest man in Ivy Harris case
Man arrested at airport for death of Portland woman in Hawaii
Marine charged with murder of Portland woman in Hawaii
Marine master sergeant charged with killing Vegas escort in Hawaii
Ivanice Harris Murder: U.S. Marine charged in death of Las Vegas prostitute in Hawaii
Marine accused of killing prostitute from Oregon who was on vacation in Hawaii for her birthday
U.S. Marine released in Hawaii killing of Ivanice Harris
Trial date set in prostitute death
Marine faces Hawaii hearing in Oregon woman’s death
Marine accused of prostitute murder goes on trial
Marine accused of murdering Portland woman to face court-martial
Detective: Marine took prostitute to Waikiki hotel
Security video caught Marine with murder victim, but he claims he’s innocent
Marine accused of prostitute murder claims self-defense
Marine claims self-defense in murder of Ivy Harris
Marine accused of prostitute murder claims self-defense
Marine Guilty in Harris’ Death
Marine found guilty in Hawaii murder case of Portland woman
Marine found guilty of murdering Portland prostitute Ivanice ‘Ivy’ Harris in Hawaii
Military jury recommends life term for Iwakuni Marine in Hawaii murder
Military jury: Life in prison and dishonorable discharge for Master Sgt. Cosby
Life sentence upheld for U.S. Marine who killed prostitute
US Marine Corps Upholds Life Sentence for Murder of Ivy Harris
Appeals court upholds murder conviction of USMC master sergeant
Pimp of murdered prostitute may be involved in crime ring
FBI: Ten Portland-Area Pimps Charged with Transporting Young Women to Hawaii and Other States for Prostitution
Ivy Harris’ accused pimp arrested in Portland
Portland rapper Meezilini indicted in federal prostitution sweep
DOJ: Portland pimps indicted, including suspect in Ivy Harris case
Pimp of Portland woman killed in Hawaii sentenced to prison
Pimp of woman murdered in Hawaii sentenced to 3 years in prison

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) Cosponsored the Military Justice Improvement Act; Currently Serving as Senate Armed Services Committee Member (May 16, 2013)

On May 16, 2013June 23, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Hawaii Delegation Backs Reforms Against Military Sexual Assaults (May 16, 2013) by Kery Murakami, Honolulu Civil Beat

New legislation would make it easier for victims of sexual assaults in the military to come forward.

“WASHINGTON, D.C. — A burgeoning scandal over sexual assaults in the military is fueling calls from congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support a bill that gives victims greater confidence that they’ll get justice. At an emotional press conference on Thursday where former service members spoke of being sexually assaulted while in the military, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined a bipartisan group in both chambers in pushing for reform. The issue was a personal one for Gabbard, who served two tours of duty in the Middle East with the National Guard. Though she was not available for comment Thursday, she told CNN earlier this month that rape culture was prevalent during her first deployment to Iraq, to the point where soldiers were trained on protecting themselves from other soldiers.”

At [the] press conference, Jennifer Norris said she was raped while serving in the U.S. Air Force. “At first I was too afraid to report my assault to my chain of command, but two years later I was forced to report due to the escalation of the behavior and the fear that I would be raped again,” she said. Norris…said she’d been reluctant to report the rape because, “in the Air Force, I witnessed first hand what happens to those who stepped forward to report their assaults. I did not want to be stigmatized for reporting my assault — as I tried to move forward with my career. Instead, the best option for me was to try and endure it, to suck it up and try and make it until I could get transferred somewhere else — only to have it happen over and over again, like a recurring nightmare.” –Honolulu Civil Beat (May 16, 2013)

Read more from Honolulu Civil Beat here.

In the News:

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono was joined today by victims of sexual assault in the military and organizations who assist victims of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) to announce new bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would reform the military justice system by removing the prosecution of all crimes punishable by one year or more in confinement from the chain of command, except crimes that are uniquely military in nature, such as disobeying orders or going Absent Without Leave. -Mazie Hirono (September 25, 2013)

Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined a diverse coalition, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), to call for the creation of a fair military justice system to reverse the systemic obstacles that sexual assault victims face. The Military Justice Improvement Act would remove the military’s chain of command’s sole decision-making power over whether cases move forward to trial. -Mazie Hirono (November 6, 2013)

Hirono Speaks In Support Of The Military Justice Improvement Act. -Mazie Hirono (November 14, 2013)

With Vote Looming, Hirono Urges Support For Military Justice Improvement Act -Mazie Hirono (November 20, 2013)

Before Senate Vote, Hirono Urges Colleagues To Pass Military Justice Improvement Act -Mazie Hirono (March 6, 2014)

PBS NewsHour: Hirono Fights For Military Justice Improvement Act -Mazie Hirono (March 7, 2014)

Senator Hirono Calls to Address Military Sexual Assault -Mazie Hirono (May 24, 2016)

Senator Hirono Presses Marine Corps Commandant for Commitment to Address Military Sexual Assualt -Mazie Hirono (March 14, 2017)

Related Links:
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Senate Armed Services Committee
S.967 – Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013
S.1752 – Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013
Rape victims testify about assaults in Military (March 13, 2013)
Hawaii Delegation Backs Reforms Against Military Sexual Assaults (May 16, 2013)
Tough military sexual assault bill introduced (May 17, 2013)
Hirono visits 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks (April 8, 2013)
Hawaii delegation supports bill on military sexual assault (May 17, 2013)
Women in Congress Leading the Charge on Changing the Culture of Sexual Assault in the Military (May 18, 2013)
Women in the Senate Confront the Military on Sexual Assaults (June 3, 2013)
Senate set for battle over military sexual assault (June 12, 2013)
Diverse coalition behind Gillibrand sexual assault bill (July 16, 2013)
Military Sexual Assault Bill Would Reassign Authority (July 21, 2013)
Military Sexual Assault Bill Would Reassign Authority (July 21, 2013)
Hirono Joins Colleagues To Announce Bill To Stop Sexual Assault In The Military (September 25, 2013)
Hirono Calls For Fair Military Justice System For Survivors Of Sexual Assault (November 6, 2013)
Hirono Joins Bipartisan Group of Colleagues to Call for Fair Military Justice System for Sexual Assault Survivors (November 6, 2013)
Group of senators begin push to remove sex assault cases from chain of command (November 6, 2013)
McCaskill, Blunt seek to reform military sexual assault proceeding law (November 12, 2103)
Hirono Speaks In Support Of The Military Justice Improvement Act (November 14, 2013)
Rekha Basu: An epidemic of sexual assault in the military (November 19, 2013)
With Vote Looming, Hirono Urges Support For Military Justice Improvement Act (November 20, 2013)
Gillibrand, McCaskill Resume Military Sexual-Assault Debate (February 6, 2014)
Before Senate Vote, Hirono Urges Colleagues To Pass Military Justice Improvement Act (March 6, 2014)
PBS NewsHour: Hirono Fights For Military Justice Improvement Act (March 7, 2014)
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand And Claire McCaskill Begin To Take On College Sexual Assault (April 4, 2014)
U.S. Senators Serious About Sexual Assault (April 21, 2014)
Retaliation Against Victims of Military Sexual Assault Still Persists (December 4, 2014)
Senators demand transparency in US military justice system (December 8, 2015)
Pentagon data on child sex crimes in the military doesn’t show full picture (January 4, 2016)
Senator Hirono Calls to Address Military Sexual Assault (May 24, 2016)
Senator Hirono Presses Marine Corps Commandant for Commitment to Address Military Sexual Assualt (March 14, 2017)
Hirono, Gillibrand Re-Introduce Legislation to Address Crisis of Military Sexual Assault (November 16, 2017)
Military Justice Improvement Act Targets Sex Assaults (November 20, 2017)
Defense Department targets Air Force Academy’s use of mental diagnoses to oust cadets who report sexual assault (March 1, 2018)
Pentagon IG opens evaluation of Air Force Academy sexual assault prevention office (March 1, 2018)
Senators Hirono, Gillibrand Reintroduce Legislation to Bring Justice to Survivors of Sexual Assault in the Military (June 14, 2019)
Senate Armed Services Committee Members & House Armed Services Committee Members (June 21, 2019)
Hirono Calls For Fair Military Justice System For Survivors Of Sexual Assault
Hirono Joins Colleagues To Announce Bill To Stop Sexual Assault In The Military
Senator Hirono Calls to Address Military Sexual Assault

NBC News: ‘Senator seeks to reform military’s “unacceptable” sex abuse policies’ (May 16, 2013)

On May 16, 2013June 7, 2018 By AdministratorIn Felony Crime, Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Senator seeks to reform military’s ‘unacceptable’ sex abuse policies

A New York senator introduced a bill Thursday that aims to remove sex crimes from the military’s chain of command — a bid to transform an insulated culture that tends to dampen sex-assault reporting, leaving many victims feeling helpless or hopeless.

Under the Pentagon’s current justice system, less than 1 percent of accused sexual perpetrators in the military were convicted last year while during 2012 just 9.8 percent of sex-assault victims reported the incidents, according to a Department of Defense report. Many victims feel powerless because their superiors can control everything from whether a case proceeds to whether a guilty verdict is eventually overturned.

“When the officer in charge of preventing sexual assault in their ranks is himself arrested for sexual assault — clearly, the strategy we have in place is not working. Twice in just the last two weeks this has happened,” Gillibrand said.

Newsmax: Rowan Scarborough On False Complaints Of Sexual Abuse In Military (May 14, 2013)

On May 14, 2013May 4, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Scandals, Sexual Assault, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMC1 Comment

Virtually all media attention on a Pentagon report last week focused on an increase in service members’ claims of sexual abuse in an anonymous survey, but unmentioned were statistics showing that a significant percentage of such actually investigated cases were baseless. -Washington Times

Related Links:
False reports outpace sex assaults in the military
Victims of sex assaults in military are mostly men
Shameful: Washington Times Column Blames Female Service Members for Assault, Calls Them Liars (Miranda Peterson, Protect Our Defenders)
Sexual Assaults and Cultural Confusion in the Military’s New Gender Order
More On Sexual Assault In The Military
Victims of Sex Assaults in Military are Mostly Silent Men
National Security Expert: Women in Combat May Lead to More Sexual Abuse
U.S. military pressed to design special line of combat boots just for women
APA Retracts Shocking Military Male Rape Study
Study On Male Military Sexual Assault Rates Retracted
Military Sexual Trauma: Prevalent and Under Treated

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor, SrA Christopher Oliver, Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Unprofessional Relationships & Adultery

On April 9, 2013July 31, 2016 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-07-30 at 8.09.13 AM — SrA Christopher Oliver, US Air Force

SrA Christopher Oliver was a basic military training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was one of the 35 instructors courts martialed after a base-wide investigation into what is now referred to as the Lackland Sex Scandal. SrA Oliver was accused of having unprofessional relationships with at least 4 new recruits and was accused of sexual assault and sodomy with one of those trainees. He was also accused of adultery and using his rank and authority to gain sexual favors. SrA Oliver pleaded guilty to unprofessional relationships and adultery. Oliver was found not guilty of aggravated sexual assault. In June 2013, a military judge convicted him of consensual sodomy, wrongful sexual contact, adultery, and unprofessional relationships. He may be listed on the sex offender registry because of the wrongful sexual contact conviction. SrA Oliver was sentenced to two years in prison and was given a dishonorable discharge. Although the actions for which he was found guilty were unprofessional and in fact UCMJ infractions, they were not criminal in nature yet he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for consensual sex and adultery, a law that doesn’t exist in the civilian world. The Air Force gave SrA Oliver the fifth longest sentence in the Lackland Sex Scandal. SSgt Craig LeBlanc had the fourth longest sentence at 2 1/2 years for unprofessional relationships & adultery. SSgt Eddy Soto had the third longest sentence at four years for rape but Soto’s conviction was later overturned by the Air Force Criminal Court of Appeals. The rape charge lacked sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. SSgt Luis Walker and MSgt Michael Silva both received twenty year sentences for rape and sexual assault.

Court Martial Today For Former Lackland Instructor
Trainer set up tryst as recruits went to church
Lackland instructor pleads guilty to 6 charges in sex case
Trainer to spend 2 years behind bars
Ex-Lackland trainer gets 2 years in sex scandal
The Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal, Texas (2011)
A Complete List of the 35 Basic Military Training Instructors Court Martialed in the Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal

Army Sgt. Robert Chiaravallotti Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole by Military Judge After Murdering Wife Dionne Chiaravallotti & Raping Step-Daughter (February 21, 2013)

On February 21, 2013August 8, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

August 25, 2012 (Date of Crimes)

Related Links:
JBLM bandsmen representing the Army one riff at a time
Soldier Held in Wife’s Murder, Rape of Child
Dionne Chiaravallotti, Former OC Mom, Allegedly Murdered by Soldier Husband
Report: Soldier pleads guilty to killing wife, raping stepdaughter
Soldier pleads guilty to fatally stabbing wife on JBLM, raping stepdaughter
JBLM soldier pleads guilty to murder, rape
JBLM soldier who killed wife, raped girl sentenced
Soldier gets life in prison for murder, rape at Lewis-McChord
JBLM soldier sentenced to life in prison for killing wife, raping stepdaughter
JBLM soldier sentenced to life without parole
Army Musician Pleads Guilty to Rape and Murder
US, Appellee v. Sgt ROBERT S. CHIARAVALLOTTI, US Army, Appellant (2013)

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor, SSgt Craig LeBlanc, Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Unprofessional Relationships, Adultery

On February 11, 2013July 31, 2016 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-07-29 at 8.54.54 PM — SSgt Craig LeBlanc, US Air Force

SSgt Craig LeBlanc was a Basic Military Training Instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He is also one of the 35 instructors courts martialed after a base-wide investigation into sexual abuse claims referred to as the Lackland Sex Scandal. He was accused of having inappropriate relationships with recruits, adultery, and sexual assault. He was found not guilty of sexual assault. Nonetheless, SSgt LeBlanc was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in February 2013. Although the actions for which he was found guilty were unprofessional and in fact Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) infractions, they were not criminal in nature yet he got prison time for consensual sex and adultery, a law that doesn’t exist in the civilian world. The Air Force gave SSgt LeBlanc the fourth longest prison sentence. SSgt Eddy Soto was sentenced to four years for the rape of a trainee but a year and a half later, the Air Force Criminal Court of Appeals overturned the conviction and set aside the original prison sentence. The rape charge lacked evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. SSgt Luis Walker and MSgt Michael Silva were both sentenced to twenty years for rape and sexual assault convictions. SSgt LeBlanc attempted to appeal his sentence but the military appeals court denied it.

“The dismissal of these two specifications does not dramatically change the penalty landscape; in fact, only the maximum confinement authorized would change. Without the convictions on these two specifications, the confinement exposure is reduced from 22 years and 1 month to 18 years and 1 month. The appellant was sentenced to confinement for 30 months. Having considered the totality of the circumstances, we would reassess the appellant’s sentence to the same sentence approved by the convening authority.” -USAF Court of Criminal Appeals (March 2015)

Related Links:
Another Lackland trainer referred to court-martial
Former Military Instructor’s Court-Martial Set
Court-Martial Begins for Lackland Air Force Instructor
Lackland trainer’s bragging is cited
Lackland trainer bragged of sex, witnesses say
Lackland court-martial trial continues
Lackland trainer jailed after release
Lackland trainer pleads guilty on two charges
LeBlanc guilty of all but one charge
LeBlanc Acquitted Of Sexual Assault, Sentenced For Other Charges
Lackland trainer gets prison for sexual misconduct
US v. SSgt CRAIG A. LEBLANC, US Air Force, ACM 38396, M.J., 26 March 2015
A Complete List of the 35 Basic Military Training Instructors Court Martialed in the Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: UCMJ

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas Cosponsored the Military Justice Improvement Act; Says Shouldn’t Have to Report Crime to Boss, Wants MJIA in Place If Daughters Join (July 16, 2013)

‘Bath Salts,’ ‘Spice’ and U.S. Military: Are Service Members Abusing Synthetic Drugs? | National Geographic (July 9, 2013)

The Christian Science Monitor | Sexual assault: Women lawmakers push for change in US military (June 1, 2013)

Active Duty Marine Nathaniel Cosby Murdered Ivanice Harris in Hawaii; Sentenced to Life in Prison by Military Courts (May 17, 2013)

NBC News: ‘Senator seeks to reform military’s “unacceptable” sex abuse policies’ (May 16, 2013)

Newsmax: Rowan Scarborough On False Complaints Of Sexual Abuse In Military (May 14, 2013)

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor, SrA Christopher Oliver, Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Unprofessional Relationships & Adultery

Army Sgt. Robert Chiaravallotti Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole by Military Judge After Murdering Wife Dionne Chiaravallotti & Raping Step-Daughter (February 21, 2013)

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor, SSgt Craig LeBlanc, Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Unprofessional Relationships, Adultery

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