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Airman convicted for drug use, dereliction of duty

  • Published
  • By The 36th Legal Office
Airman receives 30 days confinement, reduction to E-1 for repeated use, possession of drug paraphernalia, and dereliction of duty

An Airman from the 36th Operations Support Squadron was sentenced to 30 days confinement, two-thirds forfeiture of pay for one month and a reduction in grade to E-1 after being convicted in a summary court-martial Aug. 22.

Airman Richard Hawkins was convicted by a summary court-martial convened by Brig. Gen. Doug Owens, 36th Wing commander. The summary court-martial officer found Airman Hawkins guilty of multiple uses of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and dereliction of duty.

Airman Hawkins began smoking marijuana in December 2006 at various nightclubs and bars in the Tumon Bay area. He also smoked marijuana on base in his dorm room and in a friend's dorm room.

When questioned by Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents, Airman Hawkins admitted to smoking marijuana between 30 and 35 times from December 2006 and May 2007. On May 9, 2007, Airman Hawkins provided a urine sample that tested positive for marijuana. OSI agents searched his dorm room and found a multi-colored pipe used for smoking marijuana that tested positive for marijuana residue.

Airman Hawkins also was convicted for dereliction of duty in failing to check in with his supervisors during the Unit Compliance Inspection on May 16, 2007. As a result, his supervisors couldn't reach him during a wing recall for more than three hours. Airman Hawkins is serving his sentence at the Andersen confinement facility.

Capt. Ben Beliles and Capt. Jennifer Sanchez from the 36th Wing Legal Office were trial counsel for the Air Force. Capt. Zachary Eytalis from the Yokota Area Defense Counsel office served as defense counsel for Airman Hawkins.