Fairchild Airman convicted of arson Published Nov. 21, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Shannon Kealoha 92nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.- -- Senior Airman Wesley K. Finkton of the 92nd Security Forces Squadron pled guilty at a special court-martial on Oct. 17, to arson, a violation of Article 126, Uniform Code of Military Justice. The members of the special court-martial, which consisted of enlisted and officer members, sentenced Finkton to a reduction to the rank of airman basic, forfeitures of $1,021 pay per month for 12 months, hard labor without confinement for three months, three months confinement and a bad-conduct discharge. The bad-conduct discharge will forfeit all of Finkton's veterans' benefits. According to Finkton's interview statement, on the night of Aug. 15, about 30-45 minutes into his shift as a security forces patrolman, he was relieved by another security forces member. Seeing an opportunity, Finkton said he drove to the security force building to commit his crime. Finkton entered the squadron bus with a gas can that had been placed in his personal vehicle earlier that day. He made his way to the rear of the vehicle where proceeded to spread gasoline back and forth on every seat until he reached the front of the bus. He then made a trail of fuel leading from the vehicle to approximately 5 feet in front of the bus. Utilizing a lighter and piece of paper, Finkton lit the fuel and turned to leave the scene of the crime. As he was walking away the entire bus ignited into flames. While no one was hurt, the bus was destroyed. "Our justice system works, and the sentence in this case was fair and appropriate," said prosecutor Capt. Jessica Jacquay. "Adhering to Air Force standards and staying true to our core values is instrumental in ensuring good order and discipline in this always-changing Air Force." The maximum sentence in a special court-martial is: a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months, hard labor without confinement for three months, forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 12 months, reduction to the grade of E-1, fine and a reprimand.