Category: crime & punishment

It just wouldn’t be a major construction project in Korea without a bribery scandal of some kind and USFK is not immune to this:

Police said Tuesday that they have raided SK Engineering & Construction Co. and its construction site on a U.S. base in central South Korea over slush fund allegations involving a U.S. military official.

The National Police Agency confiscated materials including account books and computer hard disks from the head office of SK E&C in Seoul and its work site at the U.S. Forces Korea base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, a police official said on condition of anonymity.

An SK E&C subcontractor allegedly stashed away about 1 billion won (US$890,000) and handed it over to a then USFK official in 2010, according to the official. The now-defunct subcontractor is headed by a former South Korean field officer.

The police have already obtained witness accounts from former employees of the subcontractor. They are currently investigating whether SK E&C was involved.

They have also sent investigators to the U.S. to ask U.S. law enforcement authorities for cooperation in searching for the former USFK official.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link, but $890,000 bribe has got to be one of the biggest bribery scandals in USFK history.  That is a lot of money.  If anyone is wondering, corruption involving USFK personnel is nothing new. What is important is that these people are caught and punished to discourage others from trying to pull off the same scams.

This just goes to show that in Korea there are limits to free speech that people need to be aware of:

Suwon District Court sentenced four months in prison to two “Ilbe” members who were convicted of criminal insult. The insult unfolded in this manner: one defendant, last named Kim, purchased the school uniform for Danwon High School–the high school whose entire second year class nearly wiped out in the Sewol tragedy–for the purpose of Internet trolling. Kim discussed with the other defendant, last named Cho, about the best way to troll, and Cho suggested Kim take a picture of himself wearing the uniform and holding up a stick of fish cake. The caption for the picture would read: “I made a new friend”–that is to say, the drowned Danwon student is now friends with fish.  [Marmot’s Hole]

You can read the rest at the link, but this seems like a pretty harsh punishment for Internet trolling.  Korean men who rape USFK soldiers get less less jail time than this.

I would be very surprised if the appeals court ruling acquitting Cho is overturned because really is what she did worthy of going to jail for a whole year?:

South Korean prosecutors on Thursday appealed a court decision that acquitted the eldest daughter of Korean Air’s chairman of disrupting a flight in a rage over macadamia nuts.

Cho Hyun-Ah, who had been in jail since her arrest in December, walked free last week after an appeals court overturned her conviction for violating aviation safety laws.

The prosecutor’s office in Seoul announced that it had submitted an appeal with the Supreme Court to reverse the verdict.  [AFP]

You can read more at the link.

It was only a matter of time before Heather Cho would be acquitted. She was publicly shamed and the media attention has long since moved along so the time was right to let her walk:

A Seoul appeals court Friday acquitted a former Korean Air Lines vice president of charges of changing the route of a flight in the so-called “nut rage” case.

The Seoul High Court sentenced Cho Hyun-ah to 10 months in prison, but suspended the prison term for two years, freeing her several months after she was put behind bars in December.

A lower court delivered a one-year sentence in December, convicting her of the flight route change to endanger flight safety as she forced the chief steward off a taxiing flight because she was served nuts in an unopened bag instead of on a plate.  [Yonhap]

Just when you thought you have seen all the stupid incidents a soldier could cause in Korea someone finds a new level of stupid:

Police say a U.S. soldier was detained after rushing onto the field during a professional baseball game in Seoul in what they called a “heroic” attempt to impress his girlfriend.

The soldier, identified by South Korean police as a 30-year-old corporal, rushed onto the field of Jamsil Stadium around 7:30 p.m. Saturday during a nationally televised game between the Doosan Bears and Hanhwa Eagles.

Doosan security guards nabbed the soldier, who was attending the game with friends, as he ran toward second to first base. Officials suspended the game for about five minutes following the incident.

8th Army spokesman Col. Shawn Stroud said the soldier has been released to his unit and is being investigated by South Korean police. A Jamsil police officer said police could smell alcohol on his breath. His name was not released.

The soldier is expected to be charged with obstruction of work, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine up to 15 million won (about $13,700). The officer said the soldier is unlikely to receive the stiffest punishment, and similar disturbances have resulted in fines or suspended sentences.  [Stars & Stripes]

A couple of USFK servicemembers have found themselves in trouble and it made the local news:

Police said Tuesday that they have arrested a U.S. serviceman over an alleged assault on a South Korean employee at a local club after being drunk.

The 29-year-old U.S. soldier, whose name has not been revealed, was arrested Sunday on accusations of hitting a South Korean employee’s face with a brick at a club located in the central Seoul.

Police said the sergeant was kicked out of the club after being too drunk and was protesting against the move when he made the assault.

He was immediately arrested and was handed over to the U.S. military police. Police said they will summon the soldier for further investigation in the near future.

In a separate case, another 28-year-old U.S. sergeant was also questioned by police on Sunday after fighting with three South Koreans. (Yonhap)

I don’t know what’s worse about this story, the victims trying to bribe their way into jobs or the conman who took their money for himself?:

A former Camp Stanley employee was arrested on allegations that he bilked South Koreans out of more than $740,000 in exchange for non-existent base jobs — and enlisted an unwitting U.S. soldier’s help to pull off the scam, South Korean police said.

The man identified by the surname Gang, 54, posed as a high-level base hospital official and convinced 27 people during the past six years to hand him a total of 800 million won, Uiwang Police Station officials told Stars and Stripes.

Gang forged Army documents and took his victims on tours of Yongsan Garrison, Camp Humphreys and other areas to help sell his story, police said.

Gang also convinced a U.S. soldier at Camp Stanley that the victims were prospective employees, then had the soldier interview them by phone to test their English, said Jo Min-chang, of Uiwang’s Economic Crime Investigation Team.

Police said they do not think the soldier knew he was participating in fraud.

Gang worked at Camp Stanley for more than 20 years before being fired last month, Jo said. He had most recently served as an ambulance driver.

When the victims began to complain about employment delays, police say Gang issued forged apology letters that used official Army logos, fonts and style, if not necessarily proper grammar.

“We would like to make an apology for any damage to who are newly employed and promoted because of a conflict between the 8th Army and Korean members of the 8th Army,” one of the letters read, according to a sample obtained from Uiwang police. “We, the 8th Army, are sincerely doing our best to make smooth recovery. And therefore, we would like to wish domestic bliss.”

In other letters, he blamed North Korean nuclear threats and bilateral defense budgets for causing delays, police said.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read the rest at the link.

Below are the 2015 court martial results posted on the USFK website.  Of interest this month is that a Captain out of the 65th Medical Brigade was convicted of apparently being a drug dealer of prescription medications.  That is something I have never seen a military healthcare provider convicted of.  You can read the rest of the results below:

Results of US Court-Martials for March 2015

On 19 March 2015, at a General Court-Martial, MSG Robela L. Jamison, 602d Aviation ASB, 2CAB, was found guilty of three specifications of assault consummated by battery (Article 128, UCMJ) and one specification of dishonorably failing to pay a debt (Article 134). He was sentenced to be reduced to E-7 and to be confined for 75 days.

On 24 March 2015, at a General Court-Martial, CPT Chung, Ki Young, 65^th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of possession of illegal drugs (Article 112a, UCMJ), one specification of false official statement (Article 107), and eight specifications of soliciting others to distribute unlawfully prescribed drugs (Article 134).  He was sentenced to confinement for two years and to be dismissed from the service.

On 25 March 2015, at a Summary Court-Martial, SFC Paul D. Mitchell, 35^th Air Defense Artillery, was found guilty of one specification of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128, UCMJ) and one specification of false official statement (Article 107).  He was reduced to E-6 and sentenced to 30 days restrictions (suspended for 180 days

On 26 March 2015, at a Special Court-Martial empowered to adjudge a Bad-Conduct Discharge, PVT David M. Tompkins, HHBN, 2ID, was found guilty of two specifications of assault consummated by battery (Article 128, UCMJ).  He was sentenced to 4 months of confinement and to be discharged from the service with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for March 2015

In Daegu District Court on 3 March 2015, PFC Shuvon Darden, 229th Signal Company, USAG Daegu, was convicted of Destruction and Damage of Property.  His adjudged sentence was a 500,000 Won fine.

In Daegu District Court on 10 March 2015, TSgt James R. Andrews, 607th MMS, USAG Daegu, was convicted of violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Hit and Run Vehicle).  His adjudged sentence was a 5,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 13 March 2015, PVT Brian A. Willett, 142d MP Company, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 6 months, unsuspended.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 18 March 2015, SGT Charles D. Krappitz, A Co, 2/9th Infantry, USAG Casey, was convicted of Destruction and Damage of Property.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 18 March 2015, 1LT Solomon Choi, HHT, 4/7th Cavalry, USAG Casey, was convicted of DUI and a violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Bodily Injury through Dangerous Driving).  His adjudged sentence was a 7,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 18 March 2015, SrA Keiyon M. Monroe, 51st DS/SGD. Osan Air Base, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 19 March 2015, SGT Devin R. Johnson, 46th Transportation Company, USAG Red Cloud-Stanley, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 25 March 2015, PFC Clarence Hall, III., B Btry, 6/37th FA USAG Casey, was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 5,000,000 Won fine and 40 hours of sexual crime prevention class.

Does anyone else find it ridiculous that the crew is getting rightfully slammed by the legal system while the ferry boat company who is just as much to blame for the Sewol tragedy was fined under $10,000?:

Prosecutors demanded capital punishment for the captain of the Sewol ferry, which sank in South Korean waters leaving more than 300 people killed or missing a year ago, during an appeals trial on Tuesday.

The captain, Lee Jun-seok, and 14 other crew members of the ferry were accused of abandoning the ferry and the 476 people on board in the early hours of the ship sinking off South Korea’s southwest coast on April 16.

Prosecutors had sought a death penalty for the captain and life imprisonment for three crew members in charge of steering the ship and jail terms ranging from 15 to 30 years for 11 other crew members.

But a district court sentenced Lee to 36 years in jail, clearing him of manslaughter and other major charges in November.

The 14 others were given jail terms ranging from five to 30 years, while the ferry’s operator Chonghaejin Corp. was fined 10 million won ($9,161). They all appealed the rulings.  [Korea Herald]

You can read more at the link, but instead of trying to kill the captain who will already spend the rest of his life in jail how about going after Chonghaejin and increasing the ridiculously low fine they received.

Here are the latest USFK court martial and ROK criminal prosecution results.  In February there was a couple of creepy child sex offenders convicted:

Results of Army Courts-Martial for February 2015

On 17 February 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Nicholas J. Majetich, 94th Military Police Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of sexual abuse of a child under 16 years of age (Article 120, UCMJ).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 15 months; and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 18 February 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Steven V Dang, 2-1 Air Defense Artillery, 35^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of possession of child pornography (Article 134, UCMJ).  He was sentence to be confined for 20 months, to be reduced to E-1, and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 23 February 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Joseph A. Warren, 1-15 Field Artillery, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of one specification of making a false official statement (Article 107, UCMJ), one specification of wrongful use of a controlled substance (Article 112a), one specification of aggravated assault in (Article 128), one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128), and one specification of communicating a threat (Article 134).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 17 months, and to receive a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 27 February 2015, at a General Court-Martial, PV2 Javier Davis, 618^th DENTAC, 65^th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128, UCMJ).  He was sentenced to be reprimanded, to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit $1546 per month for two months, to be restricted for 60 days, and to perform hard labor without confinement for 60 days.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for February 2015

In Busan District Court on 3 February 2015, MCPO William D. Combs, MSC-K, Busan, was convicted of Violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Hit and Run Vehicle).  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Daegu District Court on 5 February 2015, SGT Liuneta J. Ioane, Jr., HHC, 19th ESC, USAG Daegu, was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine and ordered to register as sex offender with the local authority.

In Jeonju District Court on 4 February 2015, SSgt Jael X. Laborn, 8th FW (duty w/AFN), Kunsan Air Base, was convicted of traffic law violations including leaving the scene of the accident.  His adjudged sentence was a 5,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 12 February 2015, SFC Darin A. Cox, A Btry, 6/52d ADA, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI and a violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Death or Injury Resulting from Dangerous Driving).  His adjudged sentence was a 6,000,000 Won fine.