Sentence brings Aviano drug probe to close

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Sentence brings Aviano drug probe to close
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, March 21, 2008

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Difficult times for the 31st Security Forces Squadron came to an end last week when the last of 15 airmen accused of drug crimes was found guilty in a special court-martial.

Airman 1st Class Latrice Payne was sentenced to four months in prison Friday for using marijuana on and off duty. She was one of three airmen to be tried in special courts-martial since an investigation uncovered illegal drug use by airmen in the squadron in May. Another had a general court-martial, five others faced summary courts-martial and six more received Article 15 punishments.

The investigation was largely conducted by the local Office of Special Investigations after it received a tip, and most of the resulting charges involved marijuana use.

Col. David Slade, commander of the 31st Mission Support Group, said there was sufficient evidence for all of those who faced courts-martial to be found guilty. And, though some are still serving their sentences at the military’s confinement facility in Mannheim, Germany, all 15 will eventually be kicked out of the Air Force. They’ve also lost all benefits they would have received if they had honorably completed their military careers.

“Illegal drug use will not be tolerated in the military,” Slade said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53479