The Drug Suppression Task Force targeted a Marine Corporal as a high-level player in an LSD distribution ring which was being investigated on the base. NCIS utilized undercover informants to obtain significant evidence against the Marine. He was subsequently arrested and interrogated by law enforcement, where he made incriminating statements. He also tested positive for LSD on a urinalysis. The Marine was charged with 13 charges: Article 80, UCMJ (attempt to wrongfully possess a controlled substance), Article 81, UCMJ (conspiracy to wrongfully use controlled substance), Article 92, UCMJ (failure to obey general order x 2), Article 92 (failure to obey other lawful order), Article 112a, UCMJ (wrongful introduction of a controlled substance – LSD x 2), Article 112a, UCMJ (wrongful distribution of a controlled substance – LSD x 2), Article 112a, UCMJ (wrongful use of a controlled substance x 2), Article 112a, UCMJ (wrongful possession of a controlled substance), and Article 112a, UCMJ (wrongful introduction of a controlled substance – anabolic steroids).
Attorney Tim Bilecki’s law firm was retained. The immediately began preparing to take on the numerous government informants who were poised to testify against our client in court. The government initially wanted over five years in confinement. Bilecki negotiated a plea agreement in which our client would serve one year and one day in exchange for pleading guilty to four of the thirteen charges. Given the overwhelming evidence against this Marine, it was a situation where a negotiated agreement was highly preferable compared with the risks of a fully litigated court martial, in which he could have received significant confinement time.