Two careers end with courts-martial

  • Published
  • By From 47th Flying Training Wing Legal Office
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two Laughlin members' bad decisions brought their careers to an end during recent courts-martial held here.

A summary court-martial, which consists of one officer as the fact finder of the case, was held on Jan. 24, 2014, in the case of the United States v. Senior Airman Gookin. Senior Airman Eric Gookin, 47th Operations Support Group, pled guilty to the charge of stealing four PRC-90 radios, which is a violation of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice's Article 121, larceny of military property of more than $500.

The government trial counsel presented evidence of the crime and the investigation by the Office of Special Investigations. The government provided further information regarding the impact of the crime on the base and the unit.

The summary court martial officer sentenced Gookin to confinement for twenty-one days, forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month, and reduction in rank to E-1.

A special court-martial, which consists of a judge, trial counsel, defense counsel and a minimum of three officers as court members, was convened on March 10, 2014, in the case of the United States v. Airman Basic Horan. Col. Brian Hastings, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, referred six charges to trial: larceny of an advanced combat optical sight, larceny of a cell phone, marijuana use on two occasions, receiving stolen property, obstructing justice and false official statement. Airman Basic Dane Horan, 47th Security Forces Squadron, pled guilty to all charges.

The government trial counsel presented evidence of the crimes committed and the thorough investigation performed by the Laughlin Security Forces' Office of Investigations and the Office of Special Investigations. The government further provided information regarding the impact of the crime on the base and the unit. The defense presented evidence during Horan's sentencing.

The military judge sentenced Horan to a bad conduct discharge, confinement for nine months, forfeiture of two-thirds pay for nine months, and a $3,000 fine.