Cadet convicted for drug use, false official statement

  • Published
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  A senior cadet pleaded guilty Feb. 12 to using cocaine and making a false official statement. Cadet 1st Class James Long was sentenced by general court-martial to dismissal from the Air Force and 135 days confinement.

Cadet Long was charged Oct. 29 with intent to deceive by making false official statements to two military officers that he knew nothing about illegal drug use by cadets assigned here. The statement was false because Cadet Long knew another cadet used illegal drugs (who was later court-martialed for drug use) while both were enrolled at the academy. He was also charged with wrongful use of cocaine.

Cadet Long faced a maximum of 10 years confinement and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.

For a cadet, dismissal is the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge, and the court-martial conviction is a federal conviction.