A Navy Petty Officer Third Class was involved in an online sting operation akin to “To Catch a Predator.” He engaged in a conversation with an undercover NCIS agent who posed as a minor seeking sexual encounters. This interaction led to criminal charges being preferred against the Petty Officer.
Initially, he was offered a plea deal of two years’ confinement. Opting to challenge the charges, he retained UCMJ lawyer Tim Bilecki. Bilecki’s team prepared for trial with a defense strategy focused on entrapment and a mistake of fact regarding the age of the supposed minor. As the trial approached, however, Bilecki successfully negotiated a significantly more favorable pretrial agreement for the Petty Officer, drastically reducing the potential confinement time.
This outcome was markedly less severe than the initial offer, reflecting the effectiveness of the defense strategy and negotiation.
Defending Service Members Globally
Wherever Duty Calls, Our Defense Follows
