Airman convicted of sex crimes

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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  An airman here was convicted of carnal knowledge, sodomy and disobeying a lawful order. He received 30 months confinement, a bad conduct discharge, demotion to airman basic and forfeited all pay and allowances.

Senior Airman Donny R. Stafford, of the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was convicted in a general court-martial by a military judge alone.

Air Force Office of Special Investigation agents investigated Stafford concerning his relationship with a 15-year-old girl after her family brought allegations that Stafford was sexually involved with her, said Maj. Tiffany Dawson, of the 377th Air Base Wing legal office. That investigation revealed a sexual relationship that spanned a six-month period.

While the investigation was pending, Stafford's squadron commander ordered him to have no contact with the girl, Dawson said. However, investigators found that during the next four months Stafford continued contacting her through telephone, e-mail and Internet chat rooms.

Stafford pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge, sodomy and disobeying a lawful order, Dawson said. He also admitted to frequently contacting the girl for several months after being ordered not to.

The prosecution portrayed Stafford as a sexual predator, focusing on the long-term impact on the girl and her family, Dawson said. Besides the betrayal of trust, government lawyers argued that Stafford's criminal misconduct destroyed a 15-year-old girl's innocence and dishonored the military in the public's eyes.

The prosecution recommended a dishonorable discharge, 42 months confinement, demotion to airman basic and total forfeitures, Dawson said.

Defense lawyers argued that the girl’s age was a mitigating factor because she was close to the legal age and that the long-term effects on her were overstated, Dawson said. Further, the defense argued that Stafford's misconduct did not accurately portray his true character or military performance.

The defense asked the military judge to forego a punitive discharge, arguing instead that eight months confinement was punishment enough.

Shortly after the sentence was announced, Stafford was taken to the confinement facility here to begin serving his sentence, Dawson said.

"Stafford's misconduct was deplorable," said Capt. Terrence McCollom, assistant trial counsel. "His decision to become sexually involved with a young girl was inexcusable and has potential life-long consequences for her and her family.

"Stafford destroyed the trust that this family placed in him, as well as discredited the U.S. Air Force. The court's sentence shows that military members who knowingly engage in inappropriate sexual relationships will face significant punishment for their actions." (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)