Baby Found Dead on Side of Highway in North Carolina; Air Force SrA Matthew Theurer Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison (2013)

On March 12, 2013March 4, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

airman_full — SrA Matthew Theurer, US Air Force

SrA Matthew Theurer, 22, US Air Force, was arrested after the body of his baby was discovered in a bag on the side of a highway on March 12, 2013. SrA Theurer stood accused of dumping the baby’s body about 100 miles away from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina where he was stationed. After Theurer’s baby was discovered and a failed suicide attempt, Theurer confessed to investigators that he found his child unresponsive on February 15, 2013 and attempted to cover up the death. SrA Theurer admitted in military court that he began to downward spiral after the mother of his child moved away and left him to care for the baby by himself. SrA Theurer admitted to leaving the child alone while he went to work; an autopsy report indicated that the child died from starvation and neglect. SrA Theurer pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, child endangerment, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement. SrA Matthew Theurer was sentenced to forty years in prison, dishonorable discharge, and reduction to E-1.

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)

Mother Jones | Charts: Suicide, PTSD and the Psychological Toll on America’s Vets (2013)

On January 17, 2013March 2, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, National Guard, Navy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

Last year more military personnel committed suicide than were killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, 455 troops died in hostile action, and at least 468 active duty and reserve troops died in suspected suicides. It’s a growing problem the armed services have been trying to counter for years. So what does the Pentagon, families and all of us have to do, to stop it from happening? VETS Chief of Staff Amit Magdieli discusses. -RT

14 staggering stats about the invisible wounds of Iraq and Afghanistan:

Learn more from Mother Jones here.

RT: US Military suicides continue to climb, reaching record in 2012 (2013)

On January 15, 2013March 2, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

In 2009 and 2010 the suicide rates among US troops continued to climb. Twenty percent of suicides in the US are by veterans which many find it are to believe. Liz Wahl takes a deeper look into why soldiers are choosing to take their own lives. -RT (2011)

“The US Military’s suicide rate grew a startling 15 percent in 2012. The Pentagon, which has put great effort into lowering military suicide rates, has acknowledged that battle casualties are no longer the primary reason for soldiers’ deaths. Modern US warfare is Internet-centric and relies heavily on drones and robots, which has helped bring combat losses to historic lows; suicide now accounts for more deaths of US soldiers than battlefield conflict.”

Read more from RT here.

Ice Cold Killers Premiered ‘North Pole Slay Ride’ on ID: Five Victims Found Murdered Near Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska (January 1, 2013)

On January 1, 2013August 25, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, True Crime, USAFLeave a comment

The tiny town of North Pole, Alaska is a quiet, safe haven best known for Santa Claus. But when the bodies of young women begin turning up one by one, investigators slowly piece together the clues and discover the unlikeliest of killers. -North Pole Slay Ride, Ice Cold Killers (S1,E4)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Air Force Major Melissa Birtzer Found Dead at Eglin Air Force Base Range in Florida; No Foul Play Suspected (November 20, 2012)

On November 20, 2012November 17, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, Military Policy, Stateside Death, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment

Air Force Major Melissa Birtzer, 42, went missing from the Fort Walton Beach area in Florida on November 17, 2012. A few days later on Nov 20th, Major Birtzer was found dead at the Eglin Air Force Base range. The Air Force reported that the case was under investigation and then updated the public with the announcement that there was no foul play suspected. The official cause of death is unknown but was not ruled a homicide. Co-workers shared she may have been ‘depressed’ prior to her disappearance. Major Birtzer served honorably for 18 years first as an enlisted Intelligence Specialist and then as a Nurse. She also completed two tours in Afghanistan. Melissa is survived by a spouse and two children.

Lackland Military Training Instructor SSgt Kwinton Estacio Pleaded Guilty; Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Unprofessional Relationship (September 10, 2012)

On September 10, 2012September 1, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-07-30 at 4.01.44 PM — SSgt Kwinton Estacio, US Air Force

“If Estacio had been convicted of sexual assault or wrongful sexual contact, the Air Force would have been required to notify state officials so he could be placed on a sex-offender registry, said Lt. Col. Mark Hoover, an Air Force training command attorney.” -My SA

SSgt Kwinton Estacio was a basic military training instructor as Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was one of the 35 instructors courts martialed in what is referred to as the Lackland Sex Scandal. SSgt Estacio was accused of a sexual assault and wrongful sexual contact with a trainee. The judge found him not guilty of sexual assault as there was not enough evidence to support the charge. A sexual assault conviction carried a maximum sentence of thirty years. A jury found him not guilty of wrongful sexual contact. Sexual assault and wrongful sexual contact indictments could have landed him on the sex offender registry. SSgt Estacio pleaded guilty to an unprofessional relationship, disobeying a direct order, and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to one year in prison and received a bad conduct discharge. He appealed his sentence but the appeal was denied. 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 1 year in prison. SSgt Estacio had the sixth longest prison sentence in the Lackland scandal. SrA Christopher Oliver had the fifth longest sentence at 2 years for unprofessional relationships and adultery. 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 4 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 20 year sentences for rape and sexual assault.

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

On August 31, 2012August 20, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, Scandals, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

08/28/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jessica Wing, 42, NCD, Kuwait, Maine Army National Guard

08/28/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Christopher Birdwell, 25, and Mabry Anders, 21, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/27/2012: Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified: William T. Brown, US Army

08/26/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Patricia Horne, 20, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/23/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Louis Torres, 23, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/22/2012: Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified: John E. Hogan, US Army Air Forces

08/21/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: David V. Williams, 24, NCD, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/21/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Coater Debose, 55, Afghanistan, Camp Shelby, Mississippi

08/20/2012: DOD Identifies 4 Army Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Brian Hornsby, 37, Suresh Krause, 29, Richard Essex, 23, and Luis Oliver Galbreath, NCDs, Afghanistan, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/20/2012: DOD Identifies 2 Navy Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Patrick Feeks, 28, and David Warsen, 27, NCDs, Afghanistan, West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare

08/20/2012: DOD Identifies 1 Navy Casualty in Helicopter Crash: Sean Carson, 32, NCDs, Afghanistan, EOD, San Diego, California

08/20/2012: DOD Identifies Marine and Navy Casualties: Gregory Copes, 36, and Darrel Enos, 36, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/19/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Justice, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/18/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Demarsico II, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/17/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Holman, 39, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/16/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Keller, 22, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/13/2012: DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Scott Dickinson, 29, Richard Rivera, 20, and Gregory Buckley, 21, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

08/13/2012: DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Matthew Manoukian, 29, Ryan Jeschke, 31, and Sky Mote, 27, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Trent, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/09/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Kennedy, 35, and Kevin Griffin, 45, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/09/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ethan Martin, 22, Afghanistan, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

08/09/2012: DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Walter Gray, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/08/2012: DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Clayton Beauchamp, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/08/2012: DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Daniel Linnabary II, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/06/2012: Airmen Missing from Vietnam War Identified: Charles M. Walling, US Air Force

08/05/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Russell Bell, 37, and Matthew Sitton, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/03/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Todd Lambka, 25, and Jesus Lopez, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/02/2012: DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle McClain, 25, Afghanistan, Michigan Army National Guard

08/02/2012: DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Curtis Duarte, 22, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

Amy Herrera Shot Air Force Husband Marc Herrera in New Mexico Home; Jury Acquitted of Murder Five Years Later (July 1, 2012)

On July 1, 2012June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

Major Marc Herrera, US Air Force

Amy Herrera

Air Force Major Marc Herrera, 37, died of a gunshot wound on July 1, 2012 in his Albuquerque, New Mexico home. Amy Herrera was charged with his murder but a jury acquitted her of the charge five years later. Reports indicate the family was pleased that Amy was finally charged with the crime regardless of the outcome of the trial.

Amy Herrera was accused of shooting Marc Herrera in 2012, in their home during a party police say they were hosting for foreign exchange students. -KOAT (August 8, 2017)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan? (June 19, 2012)

On June 19, 2012May 28, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, USAF, VeteransLeave a comment

“Obviously, suspicions are not proof of wrong doing, but Pauline Boyle has discovered enough evidence to warrant an all-out independent investigation. The problem is that asking the Army to investigate itself is asking the Fox to guard the hen house. The result will always be questionable. The Boyle family does have hard facts that clearly indicates there was an overt attempt to cover-up the circumstances of Thomas J. Boyle’s death.

Was there a military drug cartel that no one wanted to talk about, or was it a conspiracy of some of the soldiers on base to stop the change of command and keep the lieutenant colonel in command for as long as possible.”

Learn more here: The Pre-Meditated Murder of Thomas Boyle, and Ensuing Cover-Up of his Murder by the United States Army | Military Corruption

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 1)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 2)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 3)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 4)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 5)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 6)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 7)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 8)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle? (Part 9)

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: US Air Force

Baby Found Dead on Side of Highway in North Carolina; Air Force SrA Matthew Theurer Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison (2013)

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

Mother Jones | Charts: Suicide, PTSD and the Psychological Toll on America’s Vets (2013)

RT: US Military suicides continue to climb, reaching record in 2012 (2013)

Ice Cold Killers Premiered ‘North Pole Slay Ride’ on ID: Five Victims Found Murdered Near Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska (January 1, 2013)

Air Force Major Melissa Birtzer Found Dead at Eglin Air Force Base Range in Florida; No Foul Play Suspected (November 20, 2012)

Lackland Military Training Instructor SSgt Kwinton Estacio Pleaded Guilty; Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Unprofessional Relationship (September 10, 2012)

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

Amy Herrera Shot Air Force Husband Marc Herrera in New Mexico Home; Jury Acquitted of Murder Five Years Later (July 1, 2012)

Who Killed Thomas Boyle in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan? (June 19, 2012)

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