Staff sergeant receives dishonorable discharge Published Jan. 14, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Mauro 15th Wing Judge Advocate Office JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Staff Sgt. Eric Brown, 647th Civil Engineer Squadron, was tried Jan. 5 before a military judge in a general court-martial at the Woodring Law Center courtroom at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Sergeant Brown had three charges brought against him at the court-martial. The first charge fell under Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with one count of Sexual Assault of a Minor and one count of Wrongful Sexual Contact. The second charge fell under Article 125, UCMJ, with one count of Sodomy with a Minor. The third and final charge fell under Article 134, UCMJ, with one count of Permitting Minors to Drink. Sergeant Brown plead guilty to all charges and specifications. While stationed overseas, Sergeant Brown had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl and continued that relationship for more than six months. A few months after arriving in Hawaii, Sergeant Brown let a few of his daughter's underage friends consume alcoholic beverages in his home. Not only did he provide the alcohol, but he was pouring shots and drinking with them. Later that evening, he sexually assaulted one of those underage girls. She was 16 at the time. For the crimes he committed, Sergeant Brown was sentenced to a Dishonorable Discharge, 40 months Confinement, and Reduction to the Grade of E-1 (Airman Basic). He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Sergeant Brown's actions affected his career detrimentally. Not only is his career in the Air Force at an end, but having the stigma of a Dishonorable Discharge will follow him for the rest of his life. A Dishonorable Discharge can only be handed down by a General Court-Martial. It is given to individuals with the most reprehensible conduct. With this characterization, all veteran benefits are lost, regardless of any prior honorable service. Many states deem a Dishonorable Discharge as a felony, and employers can look unfavorably upon Sergeant Brown if he were to ever apply to any job after his confinement and discharge are final. Also, federal law prohibits anyone with a Dishonorable Discharge to ever own a firearm. For more information on military courts-martial or courts-martial procedures, contact the Hickam Military Justice Section at 448-0992.