Mid suspected of smuggling pot

Just_A_Mom

10-Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2006
Messages
4,774
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/06/16-12/Mid-suspected-of-smuggling-pot.html

A Naval Academy junior is being held for allegedly bringing 150 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Mexico, Navy officials said.
"He is in the brig here (in San Diego) and Naval Criminal Investigative Service has assumed the investigation," Doug Sayers, deputy director of public affairs for Navy Region Southwest, said yesterday.

Sayers said details were sketchy, and it was not clear how the midshipman second class allegedly was transporting the drug. It also was not known if he was suspected of acting alone.
The midshipman, 24, whose name was not released, was detained Wednesday at the re-entry point at San Ysidro, Calif., just north of the Mexican border, Sayers said.
"U.S. Customs detected something that caused them to (pull) him over," Sayers said.
Customs officials alerted the Navy to the arrest, he said.
Naval Academy officials referred all questions to Sayers.
Sayers said "charges have not been preferred."
"We are waiting to see what happens next," he said.
If convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the midshipman faces up to 15 years in prison, a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay.
"That is a really bad offense," said attorney Charles Gittins, a military law expert who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1979.
Gittins said he was not familiar with this particular case, but did not recall ever seeing a midshipman charged with possessing such a large amount of marijuana.
"He's got Leavenworth ahead of him now," Gittins said, referring to the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Kansas.
"Leavenworth," as it is called, is the only maximum-security facility in the U.S. military, and is used to house enlisted male prisoners with sentences of more than five years and commissioned officers, as well as prisoners convicted of national security violations, according to military publications.
There is a presumption under the uniform code that possessing more than 30 grams (about 1.06 ounces) of marijuana indicates an intention to distribute the drug.
Midshipmen typically are away from the Naval Academy this time of year, undergoing training programs with the fleet and Marine Corps.
San Diego is the largest Navy base on the West Coast and is the primary home port for the Pacific Fleet. As such, it attracts a number of midshipmen each year.
Major drug offenses involving midshipmen are rare.
Five mids were imprisoned and 15 were expelled after authorities broke up a drug ring at the academy in late 1995.
That case came to light when two midshipmen were arrested in a Glen Burnie motel for attempting to purchase 200 doses of LSD from undercover Navy investigators. One midshipman, when questioned, admitted he was part of a group whose members combined their money to buy the hallucinogenic drug and distribute it at the academy.
Upon learning of the arrests, then-Superintendent Adm. Charles R. Larson ordered the entire Brigade of Midshipmen to undergo urine testing. No midshipman tested positive for drug use.

This could be the plot for an NCIS episode.
 
Maybe they pulled him over because he was a mid returning from Mexico. When our son was in San Diego a few weeks ago, they were told to NOT go to Mexico. I have heard on the news too, that sailors and marines stationed down there were told to not go to Mexico.
 
"He's got Leavenworth ahead of him now"

It sounds like this mid is guilty as charged...so why not let the UCMJ system play out and send him where he needs to go.

Voicing of pre-trial opinions and statements, such as Mr. Gittins' do not contribute to a fair and impartial hearing. In fact, it would seem to me (definitely not an attorney!) that the defense could use such a statement in their favor.
 
It sounds like this mid is guilty as charged...so why not let the UCMJ system play out and send him where he needs to go.

Voicing of pre-trial opinions and statements, such as Mr. Gittins' do not contribute to a fair and impartial hearing. In fact, it would seem to me (definitely not an attorney!) that the defense could use such a statement in their favor.

Without a trial? I'm glad you don't run the government. :biggrin:
 
^
yep. Maybe for the new spin off which is based out of LA. Of course, since the mid is from USNA, Gibbs would have to fly out to SD and lead the investigation.
Thinking about it - if it had been the plot of a show last season I probably would have laughed at the absurdity of it. :eek:

From the Navy Times:
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/06/navy_midshipman_detained_061609/


BTW - the attorney in the article was not making any presumption of guilt or innocence - he was just stating what he would be looking at if convicted. read it again.
 
Is it wrong that I own every season of NCIS.....

and almost every season of JAG for that matter...they will come out with 9 and 10 eventually....
 
Smuggling such a large amount of marijuana over the border is a serious felony. If this midshipman is convicted, he will certainly spend a number of years in prison. Even if this midshipman is found innocent, his Navy career is likely over. This is a serious matter. Regardless of the outcome, I am sad for the midshipman, his family, and those who care about the reputation of our armed forces.
 
Smuggling such a large amount of marijuana over the border is a serious felony. If this midshipman is convicted, he will certainly spend a number of years in prison. Even if this midshipman is found innocent, his Navy career is likely over. This is a serious matter. Regardless of the outcome, I am sad for the midshipman, his family, and those who care about the reputation of our armed forces.
You know...I'm NOT a "Navy man..." although I still have my acceptance to the USNA class of 1983...

But there was ONE poem I have loved since my youth and actually have framed..."The Laws of the Navy" by Admiral Hopwood, RN. He wrote it in 1896 while a Captain and it is VERY wise in its entirety. But there are two paragraphs that fit this situation...

"...Uncharted the rocks that surround thee,
Take heed that the channels thou learn,
Lest thy name serve to buoy for another
That shoal the "Court-Martial Return".

Though a Harveyised belt may protect her
The ship bears the scar on her side;'
'Tis well if the Court should acquit thee --
But 'twere best had'st thou never been tried. "

I'm afraid this young man, has seen the end of his naval service. Regardless of the courts decision...if I may borrow from Admiral Hopwood:

" But 'twere best had'st thou never been tried. "

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
You know...I'm NOT a "Navy man..." although I still have my acceptance to the USNA class of 1983...

But there was ONE poem I have loved since my youth and actually have framed..."The Laws of the Navy" by Admiral Hopwood, RN. He wrote it in 1896 while a Captain and it is VERY wise in its entirety. But there are two paragraphs that fit this situation...

"...Uncharted the rocks that surround thee,
Take heed that the channels thou learn,
Lest thy name serve to buoy for another
That shoal the "Court-Martial Return".

Though a Harveyised belt may protect her
The ship bears the scar on her side;'
'Tis well if the Court should acquit thee --
But 'twere best had'st thou never been tried. "

I'm afraid this young man, has seen the end of his naval service. Regardless of the courts decision...if I may borrow from Admiral Hopwood:

" But 'twere best had'st thou never been tried. "

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Sad but true...image is everything these days.
 
Without a trial? I'm glad you don't run the government. :biggrin:

America's Finest - When you take basic military law at West Point, you will learn that "trial by courts martial" is a basic tenet of the UCMJ. This individual will definitely receive a trial.

BTW - Congratulations on your appt!:smile:
 
America's Finest - When you take basic military law at West Point, you will learn that "trial by courts martial" is a basic tenet of the UCMJ. This individual will definitely receive a trial.

BTW - Congratulations on your appt!:smile:

Thanks, and I was reffering to the guy I quoted labelling him as guilty before the trial. I know court martial involves a trial. :wink:
 
I hope you went back and re-read the article. They guy you quoted didn't label him as guilty. he was simply an expert in military law that the journalist called up to ask the hypothetical question what would happen to him if he was found guilty.
 
It's been that way since at least 25 June 1979...the day I raised my right hand and was sworn in as an AF cadet.

Still serving...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Exactly 30 years from when you did that, I'll be doing the same thing...
 
Is it wrong that I own every season of NCIS.....

and almost every season of JAG for that matter...they will come out with 9 and 10 eventually....

I think JAG should be sent to San Diego... I miss that show.....
 
I hope you went back and re-read the article. They guy you quoted didn't label him as guilty. he was simply an expert in military law that the journalist called up to ask the hypothetical question what would happen to him if he was found guilty.

RotorHD said "It sounds like this mid is guilty as charged". That's what I was talking about.
 
Why do you say "Not Looking Good"? In my opinion; which doesn't mean a whole lot; the TRUTH is ALWAYS the best thing. And "IF" this midshipman did in fact smuggle 100+ pounds of pot and break into someone's else at gun point and stole $12,000 and drugs; then I WANT to see him get the max sentence. It also shows "GOOD" for the Navy for not putting up with such crap and/or trying to cover it up to save face. I think it "Looks Good". There are times when people; young and old; screw up. And when you screw up, sometimes catching a break and some leniency is appropriate. Smuggling 100+ pounds of pot, B&E, burglary, assault, etc... are NOT SCREW UPs. Those are intentional. So "IF" he is found guilty; and "IF" he can not come up with some legitimate excuse like his Mom is dying of cancer and he did this because he needed the money for an operation; (Or something similar); then the best thing the Navy can do is maintain it's long standing level of integrity and honor, and prosecute to the extent of the law. Then those paying the bills (The American Tax Payers) will know that their military has honor and does not cover up the truth when trash like this midshipman (Assuming he's found guilty) tries to infiltrate our military.
 
Back
Top