Airman convicted on child abuse charges

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An Airman assigned to the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron was convicted Feb. 24 of aggravated assault against his 3-year-old stepdaughter. 

The three-day trial ended with the Airman, whose name is being withheld due to the nature of the offense, being sentenced by military judge Lt. Col. Gary Jackson to 30 months confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, a reduction in grade to E-1 and a dishonorable discharge. 

Originally facing two charges, the RED HORSE Airman was found not guilty on two specifications of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice – unlawfully failing to provide medicine and medical services for the underage child, and conduct bringing discredit upon the armed forces. 

He was convicted of two specifications of assault under Article 128, Uniform Code of Military Justice, including striking the child on the head and buttocks with his feet and hands on multiple occasions, and striking the child on her stomach, back and face with force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm on multiple occasions. 

Capt. Christian Butler, 16th Special Operations Wing Legal office, prosecuted the case with assistance from Capt. Matthew Stoffel, from Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., and Capt. Ronald Spencer. 

The Airman was defended by Capt. Kristine Autorino, assigned to the Hurlburt Field Area Defense Counsel, and Capt. Jason Robertson, from Keelser AFB, Miss.