Maximum Sentence:
- DD
- 27 years confinement
- Total forfeiture
- Reduction to E-1
- Federal felony conviction
- Loss of retirement.
Civilian: Foreign conviction, 30 years in Philippine jail
In yet another high-profile case, a Navy Special Operator stationed in the Philippines was suspected of causing an accident while intoxicated, then pulling his weapon and threatening to kill a local Filipina.
Philippine authorities threatened to arrest and charge the client, while the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines threatened to prefer over 20 charges against the client after a rushed investigation.
The client immediately contacted Mr. Bilecki, who proceeded to engage the Special Forces command, the Philippine National Police, the PAO, and contacts in the Philippines to calm the media swell. Mr. Bilecki negotiated an agreement with the PNP so that Philippine charges would not be filed against the client, and threatened a lengthy, unpleasant trial if JSOTF-P preferred charges.
As Mr. Bilecki made preparations to travel to the Philippines to conduct an independent investigation, prosecutors decided not to court-martial the client. Charges were never preferred.