author – Page 2 – Conduct Unbecoming

038 US v. Brinkman-Coronel

A half hour up the road from resort-lined beaches is an Army base nestled in the interior of Oahu. Though the on-base housing might not be beach front, they’ve got ready access to everything the island has to offer. Maybe living in paradise was too much pressure, but a series of decisions First Lieutenant Brinkman-Coronel may have made while wasted in Waikiki prompted the Army to prepare to administratively separate him over substance use and ended with him serving a nine year stint in the Brig.

I relied on the ACCA appellate briefing and opinion.

I referenced additional information about Operate Keiki Shield from the week of Brinkman-Coronel’s arrest.

This episode discussed substance use. If you, or someone you know is struggling with substance use, the SAMHSA National Helpline can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP and their treatment locator is available online.

This episode also contains a discussion of attempted suicide. If you are experience thoughts of self-harm, I urge you to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Help is also available via chat on their website.

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Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share, rate and review it wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m happy to receive constructive feedback or case suggestions at conductunbecomingpod@gmail.com. Join me over on Instagram @conductunbecoming!

Disclaimer: Conduct Unbecoming is a podcast where I get to talk about interesting crimes and cases that involve US military service members. I research, write, and produce the podcast myself… the opinions expressed are my own and, perhaps it’s obvious, Conduct Unbecoming is not approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Department of Defense. I am not a military JAG and have never been a military JAG. While I’m a practicing attorney, I don’t do direct criminal defense. This podcast is a passion project, not legal advice or expert opinion.

037 US v. DeDolph

Stop me If you’ve seen A Few Good Men. A group of servicemembers sneak into a soldier’s bedroom in the middle of the night to do a bit of corrective action. When day breaks miles away from American shores, a mysterious death nearly gets papered over, ignored, or under investigated. But four servicemembers serving in Africa failed to learn any lessons from Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Kevin Bacon. When they perceived social slights and felt ignored by their buddy, they took it upon themselves to correct him.

In the process of teaching Army Staff Sergeant Logan Melgar a lesson on social graces, his friends killed him.

I relied on the NMCCA opinion and a redacted portion of the record.

I referenced information from DeDolph’s charge sheet, Matthews’ charge sheet, a court martial report regarding a resentencing, and an article from Stripes. There are a lot of salacious articles out there, so I kept it to sources I trust.

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036 US v. Walters

I’ve left mission-driven non-profit jobs twice. It was really emotionally taxing to leave jobs that I really believed in once upon a time–I was so committed to the mission in both instances, and had been so full of hope that I would make a difference when I started. My experiences, naturally, shaped my beliefs around mission-driven work, and I’ve concluded that people don’t leave mission-driven work because they no longer believe in the mission. People leave mission-driven work because they no longer believe in the organization.

But I’ve left these jobs voluntarily and haven’t experienced being removed from mission-driven work against my will. For Brandon Walters, being forced out of his mission-driven work following a psychiatric disorder diagnosis was simply untenable. So, he hatched a plan to try and make his Air Force colleagues regret letting him go.

I relied on the Fifth Circuit opinions. (2003, 2007, 2009)

I referenced information from My Plain View (1)(2), Wikipedia, UPI.com, War on the Rocks, and The Free Library. More information about the hand transplant is available. (1)(2)(3)(4)

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035 NC v. Laurean

If you are old enough to remember the foibles of a certain President around the turn of the millennia, you’re likely familiar with the phrase, “it’s not the crime, it’s the cover up.” For Corporal Laurean, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, this was undoubtedly true. Laurean likely committed either sexual assault or adultery… but his coverup made him a murderer.

I relied on the North Carolina appellate opinion.

I referenced information from the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Murderpedia, WRAL (1)(2), ABC, CBS, YouTube (1)(2), Leatherneck.com, CNN, and Modbee.com.

This episode involved discussion of sexual assault. There are a number of resources available for survivors and victim of sexual assault, including the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). They offer a free, confidential national sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE as well as an online chat option.

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034 US v. Baba

I don’t think anyone would accuse me of having good luck when it comes to my checked luggage making it with me on trips. I’ve had a number of suitcases driven up days after my arrival. Most recently, our luggage on our move from Japan went to Washington DC while we… went to Austin, Texas. It all worked out, mostly because of incredible people that love us and intervened to take care of us, our sweet pup, and our baggage. When I travel, I have two very big competing instincts. I am, in the depths of my soul, a human who wants to bring ALL OF THE THINGS to all of the places. But, my luck necessitates I travel exclusively with a carry on.

When Lt. Col. Baba received orders overseas to continue his work as a pharmacist, he definitely erred on the side of taking more than he needed and tossed in some expired prescription medicine. After arriving, though, he found his personal pharmaceutical stash was insufficient and decided to just… take what he thought he needed.

I relied on the ACCA opinion.

I referenced information about the Department of Defense COVID policies, hydroxychloroquine, Camp Arifjan, drug schedules, officer dismissals, Kuwaiti travel, and proper disposal of prescription drugs.

This episode discussed prescription drug misuse. If you, or someone you know, struggle with substance use, the SAMHSA National Helpline can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP, and their treatment locator is available online.

Links to Listen:

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033 US v. Brown

Captain Brown arrived at Minot Air Force Base some time before June 2012 and although Air Force duty station assignments are short, he was determined to make the most of his stint in North Dakota. Even in places where the cost of living might be less, it can be helpful to pick up a second stream of income and Brown wasn’t going to be left behind. He had his choice of side hustles – he could join the underemployed military spouses and shill wax melts, essential oils or supplements. But Captain Brown wasn’t interested in your average multilevel marketing opportunities. He wanted to sell something that appealed to him, that might appeal to other men. And he settled on selling people for sex.

I relied on the AFCCA opinions (2017)(2018)(2023), the Ninth Circuit opinion and oral argument..

I referenced information from the Air Force Times, USA Today, Providence Journal, Minot Times, a directory of Ward County high schools. More information on habeas corpus petitions is available on the ACLU’s website.

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032 US v. Becker

In the old cobblestone streets of Mons, Belgium, Lieutenant Becker and his wife had an opportunity to start fresh. They were thousands of miles from their family and friends and, when faced with the stress of moving overseas, they could either lean on one another… or separate. When it became clear that leaning on one another wasn’t an option, they began to unpick their lives and separate from one another. But for Lieutenant Becker, his wife living separately wasn’t an option.

I relied on the NMCCA opinions (2021)(2023), the CAAF opinion (2021), and a portion of the certified record of trial. You can also find the case summaries (1)(2) and oral argument (1)(2) for a deeper dive.

I referenced information from the Navy Times, an evidence law blog, Military.com, Stripes, Daily Mail, and the San Diego Union Tribune.

For more information on intimate partner violence, I urge you to explore Alliance For Hope and their Family Justice Center Alliance. If you need help finding shelter in your area, please visit DomesticShelters.org. Last, but not least, many law schools and courthouses offer free legal assistance for people seeking protective restraining orders.

Links to Listen:

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