Two airmen convicted for DUI

  • Published
  • By Capt. Anthony Ghiotto
  • 56th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate Office
The 56th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate Office successfully prosecuted two Airmen for driving under the influence recently.

An airman first class from the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pled guilty June 21 in a summary court-martial to driving under the influence. The Airman was arrested by civilian police the morning of March 20 after running his car into a light pole and causing nearly $1,600 in damage.

At the time of the incident, he had a blood alcohol content of .238. Lieutenant Col. Douglas Hammer, who presided over the summary court martial, sentenced the Airman to 15 days of confinement, 15 days of hard labor without confinement, and a reduction airman basic.

"We, as an Air Force, cannot tolerate servicemembers jeopardizing their lives, driving drunk and destroying property," said trial counsel Capt. Dylan Imperato. "The Airman's blood alcohol content was high enough to be considered an extreme DUI in Arizona."

For an extreme DUI in an Arizona court, he could have received 30 days of jail, fines of up to $3,332 plus the costs of an alcohol education program and restitution, and having an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle.

The Airman also pled guilty to dereliction of duty stemming from his failure to have proper proof of insurance and registration.

Another airman first class also pled guilty to driving under the influence and dereliction of duty in a summary court martial June 22.

In the early morning of April 21, gate security stopped the 56th Security Forces Squadron Airman at the North Gate for suspicion of driving under the influence.

The person had driven himself and another Airman back from Tempe on his motorcycle. His blood alcohol content was found to be .143. The Airman pled guilty to dereliction of duty by providing alcohol to a 20-year-old fellow Airman. Colonel Hammer sentenced him to 14 days confinement, a fine of $636, and a reduction to airman basic.

"This punishment shows all Airmen that it's unacceptable to provide alcohol to minors and to drive drunk," said Capt. Robert Stuart, trial counsel. "The Airman potentially could have been sentenced to 10 days in county jail, fined up to $1,587 plus the costs of alcohol education program and possible restitution, had he been tried in an Arizona state court.