JBER doesn’t play with drug trafficking, abuse

The report published here contains actual cases involving Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Airmen in the use or sale of illegal drugs from 2016 and 2017. All of the Airmen listed were involuntarily separated from the Air Force without an honorable service characterization, which resulted in the loss of some or all veteran benefits. The Airmen tried by general or special court-martial also received a federal conviction for a drug offense, in addition to the actual punishment they received.

“Illegal drug use by our Airmen impacts readiness and puts our national defense mission at risk,” said Air Force Col. George T. M. Dietrich, commander of JBER and the 673d Air Base Wing. “Airmen involved in illegal drug use or trafficking are committing a crime, and the bottom line is that any criminal activity will be discovered and result in significant consequences to the Airman.”

Various forensic drug testing systems are in place at JBER, to include random urinalysis and unit, dorm and gate sweeps. Those systems are augmented by robust teams in security forces investigations and the Office of Special Investigations who actively pursue Airmen involved in criminal activity.

“While less than one percent of JBER Airmen are involved in criminal activity in any given year, we recognize that it is relatively easy for Airmen to gain access to illegal drugs,” said Air Force Col. Christopher J. Niemi, commander of the 3rd Wing. “That means many of our Airmen will at some point or another need to make a choice. Those who choose to use drugs illegally fail to meet our high standards, and let down their fellow Airmen.”

2017 Courts-martial

An airman first class with the 673d Security Forces Squadron offered to ‘hook up’ a civilian friend with Percocet so he could party. When the Airman’s Percocet dealer fell through, the Airman sold his friend cocaine instead. They did the exchange in a Wal-mart parking lot. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of wrongful distribution of cocaine in a general court-martial. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, three months

confinement, reduction to airman basic (E-1), and a reprimand.

A senior airman with the 3rd Operations Support Squadron ordered several prescription drugs by mail from China intending to send them on to his friends in the Lower 48. The package was seized by Homeland Security and the contents tested positive for controlled substances. This Airman was then ordered to provide a urinalysis which also tested positive for a controlled substance for which he did not have a prescription, an estrogen suppressant. Additionally, a search of his phone revealed photos of test questions and answers for his career field certifications. This Airman was found guilty in a general court-martial by a military judge of wrongful importation of methandienone, nandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymetholone, stanozolol, testosterone, and trenbolone into the U.S., attempted wrongful possession with intent to distribute the same, wrongful use of raloxifene and dereliction of duty. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, two months confinement, two months hard labor without confinement, reduction to airman basic, and a reprimand.

A senior airman with the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for MDMA. Investigation revealed this Airman used cocaine, LSD, MDMA, alprazolam, buprenorphine, and bought cocaine and MDMA for his active-duty friends to use. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of wrongful use and distribution of those drugs in a general court-martial. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, seven months confinement, reduction to airman basic and a reprimand.

A senior airman with the 673d LRS was witnessed using cocaine and MDMA with his friends multiple times, including during a party at this Airman’s off-base residence. Additionally, a test of his hair was positive for cocaine. This Airman was found guilty by officer members of wrongful use of those drugs in a special court-martial. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, four months confinement, reduction to airman basic and forfeiture of $1,066 pay per month for four months.

An airman first class with the 673d LRS was seen using cocaine with his friends during a party at an off-base residence. This Airman and was found guilty by a military judge of wrongful use of cocaine at a special court-martial. This conviction resulted in a sentence of 45 days confinement, forfeiture of $400 pay, reduction to Airman basic and a reprimand. The member is pending administrative discharge with a general service characterization due to this incident and another incident where he used cocaine in a public restroom.

A senior airman with the 773d LRS provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for THC. Investigation revealed the Airman smoked marijuana every day for four months. The Airman was found guilty by a summary court-martial officer of wrongful use of marijuana. The conviction resulted in a sentence of 15 days confinement, 18 days restriction to base, and reduction to airman basic. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

2017 Article 15/NJP

A senior airman with the 3rd Air Maintenance Squadron provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was a reduction to airman first class (E-3) and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 773d Civil Engineer Squadron provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to airman (E-2), suspended forfeiture of $896.00 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 673d LRS provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to airman with suspended reduction to airman basic, 45 days restriction to base with 30 days suspended, 45 days extra duty with 30 days suspended, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 773d LRS provided a urinalysis which tested positive for THC. An investigation revealed that this Airman used marijuana multiple times from Jan. 1, to July 31, 2017. The punishment was reduction to Airman with suspended reduction to airman basic, forfeiture of $799 pay with another $799 pay suspended, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 673d LRS provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to Airman with suspended reduction to airman basic, 45 days restriction to base with 30 days suspended, 45 days extra duty with 30 days suspended, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

2016 courts-martial convictions

An airman first class with the 673d Comptroller Squadron was witnessed on multiple occasions using MDMA, LSD, and marijuana, with three other Airmen in a dorm room on JBER. Additionally, he circumvented a urinalysis inspection by using a fake urination device and synthetic urine. This Airman was found guilty by military judge of wrongful use of those drugs and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for six months, reduction to airman basic, and total forfeiture of pay.

An airman with the 3rd Munitions Squadron was driving on base with another Airman in the passenger seat when they were stopped by security forces for speeding. Security forces smelled marijuana and searched the car, revealing a bag of marijuana. This Airman was ordered to provide a urine sample; the sample was positive for marijuana. Investigation revealed this Airman used MDMA, marijuana, and LSD, brought alprazolam, MDMA, LSD, and marijuana onto base, gave alprazolam, MDMA, LSD, and marijuana to his friends, provided another Airman with synthetic urine and a fake urination device, and had in his dorm room a grinder, pipe, and rolling papers. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of failure to obey; wrongful use of MDMA, marijuana, and LSD; wrongful introduction of alprazolam, MDMA, LSD, and marijuana to the installation; wrongful distribution of alprazolam, MDMA, LSD, and marijuana; breaking restriction; wrongful possession of a grinder, pipe,

and rolling papers; and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 18 months, reduction to airman basic, and total forfeiture of pay.

An airman with the 3rd MUNS was a passenger in the car of another Airman when they were stopped by security forces for speeding; security forces smelled marijuana and searched the car. Later, after this Airman was pulled over off-base and cited for possessing marijuana, this Airman was ordered to provide a urine sample. The sample tested positive for marijuana, and Alprazolam. The squadron commander issued a no contact order between this Airman and the other Airman. This Airman attempted to break the no-contact order by asking a middleman to warn the other Airman he was under investigation. Further investigation revealed this Airman brought MDMA onto the installation, used LSD, MDMA, marijuana and Alprazolam without a prescription, shared LSD, MDMA, and marijuana with friends, and coordinated for the other Airman to provide synthetic urine and a fake urination device to a third Airman. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of failure to obey the no-contact order, wrongful introduction, wrongful use, wrongful distribution, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. The conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 20 months, reduction to airman basic, and total forfeiture of pay.

An airman first class with the 3rd MUNS was revealed during an investigation to have used LSD with two other Airmen. This Airman was found guilty by a Summary Court Martial Officer of wrongful use of LSD. This conviction resulted in a sentence of 21 days confinement, reduction to airman basic, and forfeiture of $522 pay. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 3rd Maintenance Squadron provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for methamphetamine and tested positive for meth again on the subsequent two follow-up urine samples. Meanwhile, an investigation revealed this Airman smoked and snorted meth, brought it onto the base, and had a meth pipe in his room. He failed to show up to work multiple times and lied about having an appointment. This Airman was found guilty by officer members of failure to go; false official statement; wrongful use; wrongful introduction onto the installation; and wrongful possession of drug paraphernalia. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a confinement for six months, reduction to airman basic, total forfeiture of pay, and a reprimand.

The same Airman, after his first court-martial, later tested positive for meth in two inspection urinalyses. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge again of wrongful use of methamphetamine. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months, and total forfeiture of pay.

An airman first class with the 3rd MXS was witnessed chewing a fentanyl patch. A search of this Airman’s home revealed syringes and burnt spoons belonging to the Airman and more drugs and drug paraphernalia belonging to another Airman living in the basement. An investigation revealed that this Airman would snort and inject oxycodone, buy it off-base from a civilian dealer, and bring it onto base where she would sell them to her housemate and three other Airmen. This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of wrongful use, wrongful introduction, and wrongful distribution. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 13 months, and reduction to airman basic.

A senior airman with the 703d AMXS lived in the basement of another Airman’s residence who they regularly purchased oxycodone from and used with. An investigation revealed this Airman had also brought oxycodone into the on-

base residence and taught the other Airman how to inject oxycodone. This Airman was found guilty by a

military judge of wrongful use of oxycodone and wrongful introduction of oxycodone onto base. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for four months, and reduction to airman basic.

A senior airman with the 3rd MXS was witnessed on multiple occasions purchasing oxycodone from another Airman and using it. This Airman was found guilty by a summary court martial officer of wrongful use of oxycodone. This conviction resulted in a sentence of seven days confinement, 20 days restriction to base, and reduction to airman. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

A senior airman with the 3rd MXS was witnessed snorting cocaine and crushed oxycodone with another Airman on multiple occasions. Investigation also revealed this Airman purchased his oxycodone from another Airman and also bought directly from a civilian dealer before bringing it onto base.

This Airman was found guilty by a military judge of wrongful use of oxycodone

and cocaine, wrongful distribution of oxycodone, wrongful introduction of oxycodone onto base. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months, and reduction to airman basic.

A senior airman with the 3rd AMXS provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for heroin. This Airman’s follow-up urinalysis was positive for morphine, the next follow-up was positive for heroin and morphine, and the next for heroin, codeine, hydromorphone, and morphine. After the third urinalysis, the squadron commander imposed restriction to base, but this Airman left JBER and was apprehended returning to the visitor center.

This Airman was found guilty by officer and enlisted members of wrongful use of heroin, morphine, hydromorphone, and codeine, and breaking restriction. This conviction resulted in a sentence of a bad conduct discharge, confinement for six months, reduction to airman basic, and total forfeiture of pay.

An airman first class with the 773d CES was parked in the visitor center parking lot when the car was

approached by security forces. Security forces smelled

marijuana and searched the car.

They found marijuana leaves on the floor and center console.

This Airman was apprehended but pulled and slammed her handcuffs together,

causing injury to the police officer’s hand. This Airmen then proceeded to jump

up and down and kick, so the police officer had to put

her on the ground. This Airman was ordered to provide a urine sample, which tested positive for THC. The

Airman was found guilty by a summary court martial

officer of wrongful use of marijuana, wrongful introduction of marijuana onto base, and assault upon a security police member. This conviction resulted in a sentence of 15 days

confinement, 22 days restriction to base, reduction to air-

man basic, and forfeiture of $923.00 pay. The member

was discharged with a general service characterization.

2016 Article 15/NJP

A senior airman with the 3rd AMXS provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to airman first class, suspended forfeiture of $500.00 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 673d Communications Squadron was seen by other Airmen smoking marijuana on up to five occasions. This Airman was found guilty

of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to airman with suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $500 per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 3rd MXS provided a urine sample during a unit sweep that tested positive for THC. This Airman

was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article

15. The punishment was

reduction to airman, suspended forfeiture of $624.00 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An airman first class with the 673d SFS provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for oxycodone, a controlled prescription substance.

This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using oxycodone in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to airman, suspended 45 days extra duty, and suspended forfeiture of $878 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

A staff sergeant with the 281st Intelligence Squadron provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was suspended reduction to senior Airman, 30 days extra duty, and suspended forfeiture of $1241.00 per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An Airman first class with the 673d Dental Squadron was driving his vehicle with two other Airmen as passengers and was stopped at an entrance of JBER when SFS detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. SFS searched the vehicle, discovering marijuana and a marijuana pipe. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully possessing marijuana and wrongfully possessing a marijuana pipe in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to E-2 with suspended reduction to Airman basic, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

A senior Airman with the 773d LRS provided a urine sample during a random inspection that tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to Airman first class, suspended forfeiture of $1041 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An Airman first class with the 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron was in a vehicle with two other Airmen that was stopped at an entrance of JBER when SFS detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. This Airman was ordered to provide a urine sample. The sample tested positive for THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to Airman and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.

An Airman first class with the 773d LRS was in a vehicle with two other Airmen that was stopped at an entrance of JBER when SFS detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. This Airman was ordered to provide a urine sample. The sample tested positive for, THC. This Airman was found guilty of wrongfully using marijuana in an Article 15. The punishment was reduction to Airman with suspended reduction to Airman basic, 15 days extra duty, 15 days restriction to base, forfeiture of $783 pay with another $783 pay suspended, and a reprimand. The member was discharged with a general service characterization.