Army SSG Avoids Trial for Meth, Unregistered Firearm and AWOL with Chapter 10

Maximum Sentence:

• Dishonorable Discharge

• 16 years and 10 months in Confinement

• Total Forfeiture

• Reduction to E-1

• Federal Felony Conviction

An Army Staff Sergeant stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii was arrested by military law enforcement in a sting operation for possession of methamphetamines and unlawfully possessing a firearm that was not registered to him. Prior to this arrest, the Soldier had also failed two separate positive urinalysis tests for Methamphetamines, was found drunk on duty, and had been AWOL.

Tim Bilecki was retained and began representation by immediately ensuring that our client did not make any incriminating statements to law enforcement agents. His command placed him in pre-trial confinement and preferred a lengthy charge sheet against him at a general court martial.

Knowing that going to trial would likely lead to a federal drug conviction and significant confinement time, we negotiated with the prosecutor for separation in lieu of trial under Chapter 10. That gave our client a way out of the prosecution rather than a guilty plea to the drug charges. After the Chapter 10 was approved, all charges were dismissed.