Surprise unit urinalysis sweep results in six court-martial convictions

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Megan Mallone
  • 82nd Training Wing Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Six Airmen from the 360th Training Squadron were convicted of cocaine-related charges in the past four months as a result of a surprise unit-wide urinalysis ordered by the squadron commander. 

"The sweep was quite a surprise. I explained to our Airman why we were doing it and they told me they don't want drug users among their ranks," said Lt. Col. Jim Mullin, 360th TRS commander. "It comes down to this: drug use is simply incompatible with service in our Air Force. Using illegal drugs violates the trust the American people place in us, and it compromises our ability to trust each other," 

At 6 a.m. Dec. 6, more than 400 Airmen began the process of providing urine samples for drug testing. Five Airmen tested positive for cocaine use and were convicted at a Special Court-Martial for the use and distribution of cocaine, in violation of Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. A sixth Airman was later implicated in the use of cocaine by several of the Airmen who tested positive. 

Airmen David Oseng and Phillip Haas received a bad conduct discharge and three months in confinement for their crimes. Airman Christopher Howard received a bad conduct discharge and two months in confinement. Airman Ricardo Valdez received a bad conduct discharge. Airman Wilfredo Feliciano was sentenced to 75 days of confinement. 

Airman Jennifer Lostetter was the last to be convicted May 28. She received a bad conduct discharge and three months in confinement. 

Master Sgt. Wendell Pugh, the 360th TRS first sergeant said the unit sweeps are a great deterrent. 

"Once the sweep was actually over, I think the entire Airmen in Training population was aware of it within a matter of hours," he said. "The sweeps take a lot of manpower but it's worth it to prevent a drug user from working on our aircraft." 

The success of this sweep has prompted Sheppard commanders to use the same tool to prevent drug use and catch those who choose to use them.