Court Opinion

ID: 9964312
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-29 17:02:07.31228+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:17.725683
License: Public Domain

This opinion is subject to administrative correction before final disposition.

                                 Before
                       KISOR, BAKER, and MIZER
                        Appellate Military Judges

                        _________________________

                           UNITED STATES
                               Appellee

                                      v.

                  Emmanuel ROMAN, Jr.
   Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Fireman Appren-
                      tice (E-2), U.S. Navy
                            Appellant

                             No. 202300176

                        _________________________

                           Decided: 29 April 2024

    Appeal from the United States Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary

                               Military Judge:
                              John J. Stephens

 Sentence adjudged 20 April 2023 by a special court-martial convened at
 Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, consisting of a military judge sit-
 ting alone. Sentence in the Entry of Judgment: confinement for 70 days
 and a bad-conduct discharge. 1

                             For Appellant:
                Lieutenant Raymond E. Bilter, JAGC, USN

 1 Appellant was credited with having served 99 days of pretrial confinement.
                United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                              Opinion of the Court

                               For Appellee:
                   Lieutenant Lan T. Nguyen, JAGC, USN
            Lieutenant Commander James P. Wu Zhu, JAGC, USN

   Judge BAKER delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Senior Judge
   KISOR and Judge MIZER joined.

                           _________________________

         This opinion does not serve as binding precedent, but
              may be cited as persuasive authority under
               NMCCA Rule of Appellate Procedure 30.2.

                           _________________________

BAKER, Judge:
    Appellant was convicted, consistent with his pleas, of one specification of
absence without leave, in violation of Article 86, Uniform Code of Military Jus-
tice [UCMJ], 2 and one specification of wrongful use of a controlled substance,
in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ. 3
    In his sole assignment of error, Appellate asserts that the Entry of Judg-
ment fails to comply with Rule for Courts-Martial [R.C.M.] 1111(b)(1)(a) be-
cause it does not correctly summarize each specification, with the exception of
Charge IV. We find no prejudicial error. However, to ensure that Appellant’s
record of trial is correct and accurately reflects the proceedings, we take action
in our decretal paragraph. In accordance with R.C.M. 1111(c)(2), we modify the
Entry of Judgment and direct that it be included in the record.

                               I. BACKGROUND

    On 27 October 2023, Appellant accepted nonjudicial punishment for violat-
ing Article 112a, UCMJ, by wrongfully using various controlled substances.
For this misconduct, his Commanding Officer imposed 45 days restriction and
45 days of extra duties. 4 Roughly two weeks into restriction, Appellant left Na-
val Station Great Lakes, without prior authorization, staying at a hotel for two

   2 10 U.S.C. § 886.

   3 10 U.S.C. § 912a.

   4 Pros. Ex. 1 at 1-2.

                                        2
                   United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                                 Opinion of the Court

days before returning to his unit. 5 On 20 April 2023, the military judge con-
victed Appellant of unauthorized absence and wrongful use of a controlled sub-
stance consistent with his pleas and in accordance with his plea agreement.
The plea agreement required the military judge to adjudge a bad-conduct dis-
charge. 6 The Entry of Judgment contained a purported summary of each
charge and specification. 7 Appellant made no post-trial motion to correct the
judgment entered by the military judge. 8

                                 II. DISCUSSION

   Whether a record of trial is accurate and complete is a question we review
de novo. 9 An appellant is entitled to have the official record accurately reflect
what happened in the proceedings. 10 Appellant submits that the military judge
erred in certifying the Entry of Judgment, which failed to summarize the
charges and specifications, with the exception of Charge IV (violation of Article
112a, UCMJ). The Government submits that the military judge properly sum-
marized the charges and specifications.
    An entry of judgment must “include, at a minimum, the gravamen of the
offense.” 11 We find that, contrary to the Government’s contention, the Entry of
Judgment, other than Charge IV, failed to provide a legally sufficient summary
of the charges and specifications. 12 R.C.M. 1111(b) requires that an entry of
judgment include, for each charge referred to court-martial, a summary of each
charge and specification, the plea of the accused, and the disposition of each
charge, as well as the sentence adjudged.

                                III. CONCLUSION

   After careful consideration of the record and briefs of appellate counsel, we
have determined that the findings are correct in law, the sentence is correct in

   5   Id. at 2.
   6 App. Ex. I at 14.

   7 Rule for Courts-Martial [R.C.M.] 1111(b)(1)(A).

   8 R.C.M. 1104(b)(2)(C).

   9 United States v. Crumpley, 49 M.J. 538 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 1998).

   10 Id. at 539.

   11 United States v. Booker, 83 M.J. 595, 598 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2023).

   12 R.C.M. 1111(b)(1)(A).

                                         3
               United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                             Opinion of the Court

law and fact, and that no error materially prejudicial to Appellant’s substantial
rights occurred. 13
    The Entry of Judgment does not accurately reflect the disposition of the
charges, in accordance with R.C.M. 1111(c)(2), as it fails to reflect the grava-
men of the listed offenses. Specifically, we note the Block 12 entries are defi-
cient in the following ways: (1) Specification 2 of Charge I does not state how
long the period of unauthorized absence lasted; (2) for the sole specification of
Charge III, a violation of Article 92, UCMJ, the block 12 entry fails to specify
the general order that Appellant was charged with violating. Therefore, we
modify the Entry of Judgment and direct that it be included in the record. 14
Although we find no prejudice from this error, Appellant is entitled to courts-
martial records that correctly reflect the content of his proceedings. 15
   The findings and sentence are AFFIRMED.

                                  FOR THE COURT:

                                  MARK K. JAMISON
                                  Clerk of Court

   13 Articles 59 & 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859, 866.

   14 Id.

   15 Crumpley, 49 M.J. at 539; United States v. Sutton, 81 M.J. 677 (N-M. Ct. Crim.

App. 2021).

                                         4
UNITED STATES                                       NMCCA NO. 202300176

       v.                                                  ENTRY
                                                            OF
Emmanuel ROMAN, Jr.                                      JUDGMENT
Gas Turbine Systems Technician
(Electrical) Fireman Apprentice (E-2)               As Modified on Appeal
U.S. Navy
                     Accused                             29 April 2024

    On 20 April 2023, the Accused was tried at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, by
special court-martial consisting of a military judge sitting alone. Military Judge John
J. Stephens presided.

                                    FINDINGS

   The following are the Accused’s pleas and the Court’s finding to all offenses the
convening authority referred to trial:

Charge I:     Violation of Article 86, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
              10 U.S.C. § 886.
               Plea: Guilty.
               Finding: Guilty.

   Specification 1: On or about 8 November 2022, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, failed to go to his appointed place of
                    duty, to wit: 0730 muster.
                       Plea: Not Guilty.
                       Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                            ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 2: On or about 16 November 2022 absented himself from
                    his unit, to wit: Surface Warfare Engineering School
                    Command, located at Naval Station Great Lakes,
                    without authority and remained absent until on or
                    about 18 November 2022.

                                          1
                United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                         Modified Entry of Judgment

                     Plea: Guilty.
                     Finding: Guilty.

Charge II:   Violation of Article 91, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
             10 U.S.C. § 891.
             Plea: Not Guilty.
             Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                  ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 1: On or about 23 December 2022, at or near Naval
                    Station Great Lakes, was disrespectful in language to a
                    petty officer, whom he knew was in the execution of
                    her office, by saying to her, “how the fuck do you know
                    if I am a Yeoman,” and “fucking stupid,” or words to
                    that effect.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 2: On or about 23 December 2022, at or near Naval
                    Station Great Lakes, was disrespectful in language to a
                    petty officer, whom he knew was in the execution of
                    his office, by saying to him, “I’m not a boy, I’m a man
                    and you’re not going to talk to me like that,” or words
                    to that effect.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 3: On or about 16 February 2023, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, was disrespectful in language to a petty
                    officer, whom he knew was in the execution of his
                    office, by saying to him, “stupid motherfuckers,” “dick-
                    heads,” and “retards,” or words to that effect.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 4: On or about 16 February 2023, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, was disrespectful in language to a petty
                    officer, whom he knew was in the execution of her

                                        2
                United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                         Modified Entry of Judgment

                     office, by saying to her, “stupid motherfuckers,” “dick-
                     heads,” and “retards,” or words to that effect.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification 5: On or about 16 February 2023, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, was disrespectful in language to a petty
                    officer, whom he knew was in the execution of his
                    office, by saying to him, “stupid motherfuckers,” “dick-
                    heads,” and “retards,” or words to that effect.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Charge III: Violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
            10 U.S.C. § 892.
             Plea: Not Guilty.
             Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                  ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification:    On or about 15 February 2023, at or near Naval Station
                     Great Lakes, did violate a lawful general order which
                     was his duty to obey, to wit: chapter 4, paragraph
                     1(d)(4), OPNAVINST 5350.4E, by wrongfully using
                     delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Charge IV: Violation of Article 112a, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
           10 U.S.C. § 912a.
             Plea: Guilty.
             Finding: Guilty.

   Specification 1: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, wrongfully used 3,4-
                    Methylenedioxyamphetamine, a Schedule I controlled
                    substance.
                     Plea: Not Guilty.
                     Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                          ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

                                       3
            United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                     Modified Entry of Judgment

Specification 2: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                 Great Lakes, wrongfully used 3,4-
                 Methylenedioxyamphetamine, a Schedule I controlled
                 substance.
                 Plea: Not Guilty.
                 Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                      ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Specification 3: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                 Great Lakes, wrongfully used Cocaine, a Schedule II
                 controlled substance.
                 Plea: Not Guilty.
                 Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                      ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Specification 4: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                 Great Lakes, wrongfully used Methamphetamine, a
                 Schedule II controlled substance.
                 Plea: Not Guilty.
                 Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                      ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Specification 5: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                 Great Lakes, wrongfully used Fentanyl, a Schedule II
                 controlled substance.
                 Plea: Guilty.
                 Finding: Guilty.

Specification 6: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                 Great Lakes, wrongfully used Norfentanyl, a Schedule
                 II controlled substance.
                 Plea: Not Guilty.
                 Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                      ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

                                    4
               United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                        Modified Entry of Judgment

  Specification 7: On or about 27 August 2022, at or near Naval Station
                   Great Lakes, wrongfully used Alprazolam, a Schedule
                   II controlled substance.
                    Plea: Not Guilty.
                    Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                         ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

  Specification 8: On or about 3 November 2022, at or near Naval Station
                   Great Lakes, wrongfully used Cocaine, a Schedule II
                   controlled substance.
                    Plea: Not Guilty.
                    Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                         ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

  Specification 9: On or about 15 February 2023, at or near Naval Station
                   Great Lakes, wrongfully used Cocaine, a Schedule II
                   controlled substance.
                    Plea: Not Guilty.
                    Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                         ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

Charge V:   Violation of Article 131b, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
            10 U.S.C. § 931b.
            Plea: Not Guilty.
            Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                 ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

  Specification:    On or about 8 January 2023, at or near Naval Station
                    Great Lakes, wrongfully did a certain act, to wit: tell
                    DC2 Sean Chaput, that he could not get a hold of
                    MMFR Liza A. Capozzi, with intent to obstruct the due
                    administration of justice in the case of MMFR Capozzi,
                    against whom he had a reason to believe there was, or
                    would be disciplinary proceedings.
                    Plea: Not Guilty.
                    Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                         ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

                                      5
                 United States v. Roman, NMCCA No. 202300176
                          Modified Entry of Judgment

Charge VI: Violation of Article 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice,
           10 U.S.C. § 934.
              Plea: Not Guilty.
              Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                   ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

   Specification:     On or about 16 February 2023, in the east lounge of the
                      USS Preble, committed indecent conduct, to wit:
                      engaged in sexual intercourse, and that said conduct
                      was to the prejudice of good order and discipline of
                      the armed forces.
                      Plea: Not Guilty.
                      Finding: Withdrawn and dismissed without prejudice to
                           ripen into prejudice upon completion of appellate review.

                                  SENTENCE

   On 27 October 2022, the military judge sentenced the Accused to the following:
      Confinement for a total of 70 days, as follows:
          For Specification 2 of Charge I:
             confinement for one month.
          For Specification 5 of Charge IV:
             confinement for 70 days.
          The terms of confinement will run concurrently.
          The Accused has served 99 days of pretrial confinement and shall be cred-
          ited with 99 days of confinement already served, to be deducted from the
          adjudged sentence to confinement.
      A bad-conduct discharge.

                               FOR THE COURT:

                               MARK K. JAMISON
                               Clerk of Court

                                             6