U.S. Missile Officer Who Ran ‘Violent Street Gang’ Gets 25 Years

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 9 Mar 2015

Kristin Davis – Air Force Times

(Photo: Stock photo)

A Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, missileer whom the Air Force said was the leader of a violent street gang that arranged for the exchange of money for sex with underage girls, distributed drugs and gave alcohol to teenagers was sentenced in December to 25 years in prison and a dismissal, the Air Force said Friday.

A military judge convicted Capt. Leon Brown IV on Dec. 8 of two counts of sexual assault of a child younger than 16; distribution of marijuana and psilocybin; use of psilocybin; willful dereliction of duty; conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman; pandering; unlawful entry; and four specifications of communicating threats, Minot spokeswoman Kiley Dougherty said in a news release.

The information was provided to Air Force Times in advance of the Air Force’s planned Feb. 4 publication of a round-up of December sexual assault convictions on the service’s sexual assault prevention and response website. The Air Force began publishing a list of such convictions in September 2013 in an effort to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

Minot officials learned in January 2012 that Brown, who belonged to the 742nd Missile Squadron, was under investigation by civilian authorities, according to the news release.

“That same day, after meeting with [Air Force Office of Special Investigations] and reviewing all available evidence, the squadron commander suspended Brown’s mission-ready status and removed his access to sensitive materials,” it said.

Brown was administratively reassigned to the 91st Missile Wing Safety Office while under investigation; in January 2014, he was placed in pre-trial confinement where he remained through his Dec. 2-8 court-martial.

According to the news release, an adult female civilian reported that Brown drugged her and that she awoke to another man having sexual intercourse with her. “She also reported that on a separate occasion, Brown administered a drug to her and had sexual intercourse with her while she was substantially impaired.”

In addition to the 25-year prison sentence and a dismissal — the officer equivalent of a dishonorable discharge — Brown was sentenced to forfeiture of all pay and allowances, Dougherty said.

“Most Airmen abide by the exacting standards required of them. They live the Air Force’s core values of integrity, service and excellence,” she said. “However, those who don’t and commit criminal acts will be held accountable through the military justice system.”

Go to Original – airforcetimes.com

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