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Vandenberg tried five in separate courts-martial
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Five Vandenberg Airmen went before military courts-martial during August and September 2010. Four of the Airmen were court-martialed for drug offenses and the fifth was charged with theft of government property. The government was represented by assistant staff judge advocates assigned to the 30th Space Wing Legal Office. The defense counsel and military judge were detailed by the Air Force Judiciary.
Tech. Sgt. William Higdon II, 9th Space Operations Squadron, was tried by Special Court-Martial from Aug. 10 - 13, 2010. Capt. Aimee Haney represented the Government. Capt. Andre Pennington represented the accused. Maj. Shane Cohen was the military judge.
The charges alleged that on divers occasions between Dec. 1, 2009, and April 13, 2010, Sergeant Higdon wrongfully used marijuana. The charges also alleged that on April 9, 2010, Sergeant Higdon was absent without authority from his unit. Sergeant Higdon pled guilty to both charges and specifications and was sentenced with a reduction in grade to E-3, confinement for 24 days, and a bad conduct discharge.
Airman Basic Anthony Lobue, 30th Security Forces Squadron, was tried by Special Court-Martial from Aug. 16 - 17, 2010. Capt. Saleem Razvi and Capt. Jazmine Abadia represented the Government. Capt. Thomas Alford and Capt. Jeremy McKissack represented the accused. Maj. Matthew Van Dalen was the military judge.
The charges alleged that between April 1 and April 7, 2010, Airman Lobue wrongfully introduced with the intent to distribute Oxycodone, a controlled substance, onto Vandenberg AFB. The charges also alleged that on divers occasions between April 1 and April 7, 2010, Airman Lobue wrongfully distributed Oxycodone. After hearing a complex defense motion, the military judge dismissed the case.
Airman Andrew Montelongo, 30th Security Forces Squadron, was tried by Special Court-Martial from Aug. 23 - 27, 2010. Capt. Saleem Razvi and Capt. Kirk C. Mangels represented the government. Capt. Brock Ohlson and Capt. Rebecca Dickinson represented the accused. Maj. Shane Cohen was the military judge. At Airman Montelongo's request, his case was tried before a panel of commissioned officers.
The charges alleged that between April 1 and April 7, 2010, Airman Montelongo, shortly after being released from confinement due to a court-martial conviction in early November 2009, wrongfully used Oxycodone, a controlled substance. Airman Montelongo pled not guilty to the charge and specification. The panel of court-martial members found Airman Montelongo guilty as charged and sentenced him to a reduction to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge.
Senior Airman Joseph Marquez, 30th Security Forces Squadron, was tried by Summary Court-Martial on Sept. 1 2010. Capt. Jazmine Abadia and Capt. Saleem Razvi represented the government. Capt. Matthew Bush represented the accused. Maj. Gary Pulliam (USAFR) was the Summary Court-Martial Officer. The charges alleged that on divers occasions between June 1, 2010, and Aug. 5, 2010, Airman Marquez wrongfully used marijuana. The charges also alleged that on June 27, 2010, Airman Marquez failed to go to his appointed place of duty. Airman Marquez pled guilty to both charges and specifications and was sentenced to restriction to Vandenberg AFB for 45 days and reduction to the grade of E-2.
Senior Airman Michael Cisneros, 30th Security Forces Squadron, was tried by Special Court-Martial on Sept. 20, 2010. Capt. Aimee Haney and Capt. Jazmine Abadia represented the government. Duane Kees and Capt. Thomas Alford represented the accused. Lt. Col. Martin Mitchell was the military judge.
The charges alleged that between Jan. 11, 2010, and June 2, 2010, Airman Cisneros wrongfully received two Thermal Monoculars that he knew to be stolen United States Air Force property. All of the military property that was stolen had a value of more than $500.00. The charges also alleged that during that same timeframe, Airman Cisneros tried to sell these items. Airman Cisneros pled guilty to the two charges and their specifications and was sentenced to a reduction to E-1, confinement for 3 months, and a bad conduct discharge.
Court-martial proceedings take place in the courtroom at the Vandenberg AFB legal office in Building 10577. The next court-martial is scheduled to convene Oct. 26, and it is open to the Vandenberg community.