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Fairchild Airman court-martialed, sentenced for aggravated assault

  • Published
  • By 92nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office
On Nov. 9, 2015, a general court-martial was convened in the case of United States v. Tech. Sgt. Ralph Morales. Morales, 92nd Medical Support Squadron, was accused of committing several acts of assault, including aggravated assault, against his spouse. Morales pled not guilty to one charge and six specifications of assault and one charge and one specification of communicating a threat. 

At the court-martial, Morales requested to be tried by a panel of officer and enlisted members. The members were presented compelling evidence regarding the abuse, including photographs of his bruised spouse. Capt. Gavin Johnson, assistant trial counsel, stressed that no act of violence should go unnoticed and that Morales' wife deserved justice after years of abuse. Morales' defense counsel alternately pointed out he was a coveted member of the Air Force Honor Guard and he had excelled throughout his military career.

After deliberating, the panel members sentenced Morales to be confined in a military confinement facility for four months, to be reduced in grade to E-4, to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge, and to be reprimanded.