news Release - USMA Charges were preferred yesterday against six cadets involving drug-related
offenses.
Members of the Class of 2017 Joshua Bobo, Jaelen Gadson, Tevin Long, Christopher Monge, Jalen Swett
and Class of 2016 Jared Rogers, have been similarly charged with Article 81 (Conspiracy to Distribute
Controlled Substances) and Article 112a (Wrongful Use, Introduction and Distribution of Controlled
Substances) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The cadets are currently on administrative leave away from the academy. They are presumed innocent
until proven guilty in trial by courts-martial.
The preferring of charges against a service member is the first step in the court-martial process. The next
step is a pretrial investigation pursuant to Article 32, which is similar to a civilian grand jury. The Article
32 hearing, however, provides greater procedural rights for the defendant: the right to be present during
the public hearing, the right to present evidence, the right to cross-examine witnesses, and the right to
have a defense lawyer.
The pretrial investigation will be conducted by a military officer at West Point. The evidence obtained
and his or her recommendation will be provide to a senior military officer who may then dispose of the
case or recommend a trial by courts-martial to the Superintendent, the senior officer at West Point. fROM: http://www.usma.edu/news/Shared%20Documents/Six%20Cadets%20Charged.pdf
|