United States v. Chavez

This opinion is subject to administrative correction before final disposition.

Before TANG, J. STEPHENS, and ATTANASIO Appellate Military Judges _________________________ UNITED STATES Appellee v. German A. CHAVEZ Sergeant (E-5), U.S. Marine Corps Appellant No. 201900147 Decided: 29 August 2019.

Appeal from the United States Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary.

Military Judge: Major John L. Ferriter, USMC; Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey V. Munoz, USMC. Sentence adjudged 27 February 2019 by a special court-martial convened at Marine Corps Base Camp Pend- leton, CA, consisting of a military judge sitting alone. Sentence ap- proved by convening authority: reduction to E-1, confinement for 89 days, and a bad-conduct discharge1.

For Appellant: Captain Jeremiah J. Sullivan, III, JAGC, USN.

For Appellee: Brian K. Keller, Esq. _________________________ This opinion does not serve as binding precedent under NMCCA Rule of Appellate Procedure 30.2(a). _________________________

1 The Convening Authority suspended confinement in excess of 6 months pursu- ant to a pretrial agreement.

United States v. Chavez, No. 201900147

PER CURIAM: After careful consideration of the record, submitted without assignment of error, we have determined that the approved findings and sentence are cor- rect in law and fact and that no error materially prejudicial to Appellant’s substantial rights occurred. Articles 59 and 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859, 866.

However, we note that the “Action” section of the court-martial order (CMO) does not accurately reflect that the suspended bad-conduct discharge is to be remitted. Although we find no prejudice from this scrivener’s error, the appellant is entitled to have court-martial records that correctly reflect the content of his proceeding. United States v. Crumpley, 49 M.J. 538, 539 (N- M. Ct. Crim. App. 1998). Accordingly, the supplemental CMO shall reflect that the suspended bad-conduct discharge is to be remitted 6 months from the date of the CMO, unless sooner vacated.

The findings and sentence as approved by the convening authority are AFFIRMED.

FOR THE COURT:

RODGER A. DREW, JR. Clerk of Court