Airman convicted of housebreaking, unlawful entry, absence without leave

  • Published
  • By Capt. Andre Ahuna
  • 354th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A summary court martial was held on April 24 in which Airman 1st Class Jerry Lee Ray, Jr. was convicted of absence without authority on multiple occasions, housebreaking and unlawful entry.

Airman Ray was represented by Capt. Michael Tewalt, the Area Defense Counsel. The government was represented by Capt. Andre Ahuna and Capt. J. Brian Jones. Maj. J. Alan Goodwin served as the Summary Court Martial Officer.

The charges in the case stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 7, when Airman Ray left his assigned place of duty, the dining facility, and entered the dormitory room of another Airman in order to commit larceny.

Airman Ray intended to steal something from the Airman's dormitory room while that individual was at lunch in the dining facility. He unlawfully entered the individual's room, locked the door behind him, and began searching for valuables.

The resident returned and tried to enter the room, he heard the resident on the other side of the door, in an attempt to avoid detection Airman Ray fled through the shared bathroom while another Airman was taking a shower.

He unlawfully entered the second Airman's dormitory room, exited through the main door and ran out of the building. The showering resident saw a man pass through the bathroom.

Neighboring residents on the same floor recognized Airman Ray as he ran through the hallway and down the stairway. He then returned to work at the dining facility.

The two dormitory residents learned Airman Ray's identity by asking people in the hallway. After being confronted by one of them at the dining facility, he initially denied entering their rooms. He then left his duty station again and returned to the dormitory rooms to apologize to the two Airmen.

The dormitory resident who had seen Airman Ray pass through the bathroom called 354th Security Forces. He was apprehended by security forces at the scene.

Airman Ray pled guilty to all charges and the Summary Court Martial Officer sentenced him to fourteen days confinement, restriction to base for 30 days and reduction to the grade of E-2.