Airman convicted of cocaine use

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A Hurlburt Field Airman was convicted of cocaine use during a court-martial Nov. 7. 

Airman 1st Class Blake Benjamin, a student with Det. 3, 342nd Training Squadron, pleaded guilty to one charge of drug use. He was sentenced to 105 days of confinement, forfeiture of $867 a month for three months and reduction in grade to airman basic. 

"We respect the judge's decision but, obviously, we would have liked a lighter sentence," said Area Defense Counsel Capt. Charlton Meginley. "Airman Benjamin did receive a fair trial and sentence." 

Airman Benjamin admitted to using cocaine at a downtown hotel earlier this year, and he showed remorse during the one-day trial. 

"I was drunk and stupid," the 24-year-old former tactical air control party student said while on the stand. 

He is confined in the brig at Naval Air Station Pensacola. A pre-trial agreement limited Airman Benjamin's confinement to just 90 days.