Two Osan airmen receive federal convictions

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) -- Two airmen here received federal convictions during two separate courts-martial recently.

Senior Airman Lucinda F. Shaw from the 303rd Intelligence Squadron pleaded not guilty to all charges and specifications against her during a special court-martial. She was charged with disrespecting her section commander, disobeying and disrespecting her first sergeant five times, disrespecting two other senior noncommissioned officers twice and disorderly conduct.

Shaw elected to have her case tried by a panel of officer and enlisted members. The court members found her not guilty of the charge of disorderly conduct, one specification of disobedience and one specification of disrespect, but guilty of the six other crimes.

She was sentenced to reduction to airman basic, forfeiture of $767 pay per month for six months and a reprimand. Capts. Matthew Jarreau and Cho Cho Lassey prosecuted the case for the Air Force, and Capt. John C. Johnson defended Shaw during the three-day trial.

During several encounters with her section commander and first sergeant, Shaw was disrespectful by becoming belligerent, telling them they would pay by going to hell and questioning her first sergeant's authority over her. She was disobedient by interrupting him after being told to remain quiet and refusing to leave his office.

Senior Airman Dennis J. Scholz Jr. from the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of child pornography and elected to have his case tried by military judge alone at a general court-martial.

The judge found him guilty and sentenced Scholz to reduction to airman basic, confinement for eight months and a bad conduct discharge. Capts. Matthew Jarreau and Robert Chatham prosecuted the case for the Air Force, and Capt. Michael Carassco defended Scholz.

While using Scholz's personal computer to locate a file of Web-cam photographs, his roommate discovered images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit acts. The airman informed his unit's first sergeant who notified the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Investigators found numerous sexually explicit images and movie files involving minors.

A federal conviction can adversely affect a person's right to vote, carry firearms, sit as a juror, hold certain governmental jobs, and obtain certain professional licenses, said base legal officials. If the convening authority approves the convictions and sentences, these airmen's criminal actions will stigmatize their Air Force careers and their federal convictions will have long-lasting impact on them, officials added.