United States v. Preston ( 2017 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 38996
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Bryant H. PRESTON
Technical Sergeant (E-6), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 31 August 2017
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Military Judge: L. Martin Powell.
Approved sentence: Dishonorable discharge, confinement for 2 years, and re-
duction to E-1. Sentence adjudged 19 November 2015 by GCM convened at
Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
For Appellant: Major Johnathan D. Legg, USAF.
For Appellee: Major G. Matt Osborn, USAF; Major Meredith L. Steer, USAF;
Gerald R. Bruce, Esquire.
Before MAYBERRY, JOHNSON, and KIEFER, Appellate Military Judges.
Judge KIEFER delivered the opinion of the court, in which Senior Judges
MAYBERRY and JOHNSON joined.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 18.4.
________________________
KIEFER, Judge:
A general court-martial composed of officer members convicted Appellant,
contrary to his pleas, of one specification of attempted sexual assault of a
child who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16
years and one specification of attempted sexual abuse on divers occasions of a
United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
child who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16
years, in violation of Article 80, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10
U.S.C. § 880. The court-martial sentenced Appellant to a dishonorable dis-
charge, confinement for two years, and reduction to the grade of E-1. The
convening authority approved the sentence as adjudged. 1
Appellant raises four issues on appeal: (1) whether the evidence is suffi-
cient to support the conviction for attempted sexual assault of a child;
(2) whether the military judge erred in omitting a portion of the standard in-
struction on the affirmative defense of voluntary abandonment for attempted
sexual assault of a child; (3) whether the military judge erred in instructing
the court-martial concerning what overt acts are required to support a find-
ing of guilty for attempted sexual assault of a child; and (4) whether the evi-
dence is legally and factually sufficient to support the conviction for attempt-
ed sexual abuse of a child. 2 We find no prejudicial error and affirm.
I. BACKGROUND
Appellant was assigned to the 56th Security Forces Squadron at Luke Air
Force Base (AFB), Arizona. In January 2015, he attended the Non-
Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) at Sheppard AFB, Texas. While
there, Appellant visited a Craigslist personals page and accessed an adver-
tisement titled, “Dependent Looking for Company.” This message had been
posted by Special Agent (SA) TK of the Internet Crimes Against Children
(ICAC) Task Force of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)
in Northern Virginia. SA TK’s posting was part of an investigation into a dif-
ferent Airman at Sheppard AFB, but Appellant responded to the advertise-
ment.
In Appellant’s initial response to the ad, he stated, “Im a 6’3 african amer-
ican man lightskinned hazel eyes with athletic body.” He also offered that he
was on temporary duty to Sheppard AFB for NCOA and his name was “Bry-
ant.” SA TK responded under the pseudonym “Tina,” which was associated
with the screen name daddyluver21@gmail.com. “Tina” stated, “I live on base
with my fam but house sitting for someone, I’m 14 if u interested I’m using
yahoo mess daddyluver21 talk to you soon.” Appellant responded that he was
1 The convening authority approved Appellant’s request to defer the reduction in
grade and automatic forfeitures pursuant to Articles 58(a) and (b), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C.
§§ 858(a), 858(b).
2This issue is raised pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A.
1982).
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
“interested but I don’t know you are young and you might get me in trouble.”
Soon after this initial exchange, Appellant made the first reference to the
parties meeting in person by asking, “Where are we going to go? Is anywhere
there? You not trying to set me up right. I added you on my yahoo messenger
also.”
Later the same day, the parties moved their conversation to Yahoo Mes-
senger and “Tina” again noted that she was 14 years old. Appellant continued
to press the issue of meeting in person, but AFOSI had not yet planned for a
meeting, so “Tina” said she was going to be out of town for the weekend. “Ti-
na” also indicated that she needed to work around her mother for the two to
meet in person.
Appellant and “Tina” also began to discuss the issue of “fun,” which ap-
peared to be a euphemism for more intimate contact. Appellant, however,
was the first party to use the word “sex,” and from this point forward, his
messages became increasingly graphic, describing the types of sexual acts he
wanted to perform on “Tina.”
On Monday, 12 January, Appellant messaged “Tina” twice, but there was
no response. Appellant again messaged “Tina” on Tuesday, 13 January, and
“Tina” responded. Appellant immediately raised the issue of meeting in per-
son. The parties communicated throughout the day on Tuesday, and Appel-
lant continued to describe sexual acts in graphic detail. He also emailed “Ti-
na” a photo of his penis.
On Wednesday, 14 January, Appellant messaged “Tina” asking if she was
real and requested that she send a picture. SA TK responded with a photo of
a female AFOSI agent represented to be “Tina.” Appellant then indicated
concern with meeting “Tina” due to her being “young,” and he wanted to
know if he was being “set up.” The following exchange then took place:
ACC: You are 18 living with your mom
Tina: 18 what you talking about
ACC: You have to say that
Trust me
Tina: I told you I was 14
Or you want me to say im 18
ACC: I know. Yes
The parties agreed that they would meet the evening of Wednesday, 14
January at the location where “Tina” was house sitting on base. Appellant
originally indicated he was going to drive a friend’s car to the house, but as
the day progressed, he said the friend had not come back to the dorms, and
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
the car was not available. Appellant then told “Tina” he was going to walk to
the house and continued to communicate with “Tina” while walking across
base.
The neighborhood where the house was located had only one entry and
exit point from the rest of the base. The house was outfitted with a live feed
camera, which was monitored by the AFOSI team leader from inside the
house. The team leader saw Appellant walk by the house on the sidewalk.
Appellant then turned around and walked back toward the house on the
sidewalk. Once in front of the house, Appellant walked onto the driveway to-
ward the front door. The team lead testified that he was not sure if Appellant
would come all the way to the door, so he ordered the take down.
The take down team came from inside the house through the front door,
which was partially obscured from the driveway by a corner of the house. The
leader of the take down team testified that as he rounded the corner he saw
Appellant walking up the driveway toward the front door. He told Appellant
to stop, and the team arrested Appellant in the driveway.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
Appellant’s first and fourth assignments of error allege that the evidence
is legally and factually insufficient to support his convictions for attempted
sexual assault of a child and attempted sexual abuse of a child, both in viola-
tion of Article 80, UCMJ.
We review issues of factual and legal sufficiency de novo. Article 66(c),
UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866(c); United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399
(C.A.A.F. 2002). Our assessment of legal and factual sufficiency is limited to
the evidence produced at trial. United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272
(C.M.A. 1993). The test for legal sufficiency of the evidence is “whether, con-
sidering the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a reason-
able factfinder could have found all the essential elements beyond a reasona-
ble doubt.” United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 324 (C.M.A. 1987); see also
United States v. Humpherys, 57 M.J. 83, 94 (C.A.A.F. 2002). The term “rea-
sonable doubt” does not mean that the evidence must be free from conflict.
United States v. Lips, 22 M.J. 679, 684 (A.F.C.M.R. 1986). “[I]n resolving
questions of legal sufficiency, we are bound to draw every reasonable infer-
ence from the evidence of record in favor of the prosecution.” United States v.
Barner, 56 M.J. 131, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2001).
The test for factual sufficiency is “whether, after weighing the evidence in
the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed
the witnesses, [we are] convinced of the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a reasona-
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
ble doubt.” Turner, 25 M.J. at 325; see also United States v. Reed, 54 M.J. 37,
41 (C.A.A.F. 2000). In conducting this unique appellate role, we take “a fresh,
impartial look at the evidence,” applying “neither a presumption of innocence
nor a presumption of guilt” to “make [our] own independent determination as
to whether the evidence constitutes proof of each required element beyond a
reasonable doubt.” Washington, 57 M.J. at 399.
There are four elements of attempt: (1) that the accused did a certain
overt act; (2) that the act was done with the specific intent to commit a cer-
tain offense under the code; (3) that the act amounted to more than mere
preparation; and (4) that the act apparently tended to effect the commission
of the intended offense. Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2012 ed.)
(MCM), pt. IV, ¶ 4.b.
1. Specification 1 – Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child
The underlying offense of sexual assault of a child has two elements:
1. The accused committed a sexual act on a person; and
2. The person had not attained the age of 16 years old.
MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 45b.a.(b). Appellant asserts three reasons why the evidence is
factually and legally insufficient to convict him of attempted sexual assault of
a child: (1) he was entrapped; (2) none of his actions constituted a substantial
step toward completing the underlying offense; and (3) he voluntarily aban-
doned the underlying offense.
a. Entrapment
To succeed on a claim of entrapment, there must be evidence that the
criminal design or suggestion to commit the offense originated with the gov-
ernment, not the accused, and the accused was not predisposed to commit the
offense. See Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 916(g); United States v. Hall, 56
M.J. 432, 436 (C.A.A.F. 2002); United States v. Howell, 36 M.J. 354, 359
(C.M.A. 1993); see also United States v. Larson, 64 M.J. 559, 565 (A.F. Ct.
Crim. App. 2006).
The essence of entrapment is an improper inducement by government
agents to commit the crime. Howell, 36 M.J. at 359. Inducement means more
than merely providing the appellant the means or opportunity to commit a
crime. Id. at 358. Instead, the government conduct must “create[ ] a substan-
tial risk that an undisposed person or otherwise law-abiding citizen would
commit the offense . . . [and may take the form of] pressure, assurances that a
person is not doing anything wrong, persuasion, fraudulent representations,
threats, coercive tactics, harassment, promises of reward, or pleas based on
need, sympathy, or friendship.” Id. at 359–60 (citations and internal quota-
tion marks omitted).
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
The government may use undercover agents and informants to ferret out
crime and afford opportunities or facilities for criminals to act upon. Jacobson
v. United States, 503 U.S. 540, 548 (1992); see also United States v. Howell,
36 M.J. 354, 361 (C.M.A. 1993); United States v. Whittle, 34 M.J. 206, 208
(C.M.A. 1992). “Artifice and stratagem may be employed to catch those en-
gaged in criminal enterprises.” Sorrells v. United States, 287 U.S. 435, 441
(1932); see also United States v. Russell, 411 U.S. 423, 435–36 (1973). For ex-
ample, law enforcement may pretend to be someone other than a government
agent. See Howell, 36 M.J. at 358. Only “circumstances suggesting overreach-
ing by [the] government . . . or any pressuring . . . of the appellant to commit
these offenses” will suffice. Id. at 360.
The question of predisposition relates to a law-abiding citizen. Whittle, 34
M.J. at 208. “A law-abiding person is one who resists the temptations, which
abound in our society today, to commit crimes.” United States v. Lubitz, 40
M.J. 165, 167 (C.M.A. 1994) (citing United States v. Evans, 924 F.2d 714, 717
(7th Cir. 1991)). One who accepts an invitation to commit a crime without be-
ing offered an extraordinary inducement shows a predisposition to commit
the crime. Whittle, 34 M.J. at 208.
In litigating the entrapment defense, the accused has the initial burden of
showing that the criminal design or suggestion originated with the govern-
ment. Hall, 56 M.J. at 426. Once that hurdle is met, the burden shifts to the
Prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal design did
not originate with the government or that the accused was predisposed to
commit the offense. Id.; United States v. Wheeler, 76 M.J. 564, 574 (A.F. Ct.
Crim. App. 2017); United States v. Little, 1994 CCA LEXIS 92, at *5 (A.F. Ct.
Crim. App. 18 Oct. 1994) (unpub. op.).
Here, all of the communications between Appellant and “Tina” were
through messaging systems. While SA TK posted the advertisement on
Craigslist, the ad was not directed at Appellant, and Appellant was the one
who chose to respond. In “Tina’s” very first message, she indicated she was 14
years old. From that point forward, Appellant was the first to suggest an in-
person meeting, the first to use the word “sex,” the first to suggest sex be-
tween the two, and the first to state in extremely graphic detail the types of
sexual acts he wanted to perform on “Tina.” While SA TK provided opportu-
nities for Appellant to commit the offense, he did not initiate discussions re-
garding sexual contact with a child, and he never pressured Appellant to
commit any offense. Thus, there was no inducement by a government agent.
Appellant made the decisions to respond to the ad, continue communications
with a purported 14-year-old girl, and send sexually explicit messages and a
photo of his penis to that same 14-year-old girl. He also repeatedly acknowl-
edged the wrongfulness of his conduct. The issue of committing the crime of
sexual assault of a child originated with Appellant.
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
Further, even though SA TK falsely represented facts such as his gender
and age, there was no overreaching by the Government. He did not pressure
or coerce Appellant to commit the offense of attempted sexual assault of a
child. Thus, we find Appellant has failed to satisfy his initial burden of show-
ing that the criminal design originated with the government. 3 Recognizing,
however, that the military judge instructed on entrapment, we also analyze
the case as if the burden shifted to the Government.
As outlined above, we first find beyond a reasonable doubt that there was
no improper Government inducement. We further find beyond a reasonable
doubt that Appellant was predisposed to commit the offense. Again, Appel-
lant was the one who first suggested meeting in person. Appellant was the
one who initiated the communications regarding sex with a child. Appellant
was also the one who walked a mile in 30-degree weather to meet up with a
person represented to be a 14-year-old girl house sitting by herself. The Gov-
ernment need not present evidence that Appellant committed or attempted to
commit a similar offense on a previous occasion. A person’s readiness and
willingness to commit the offense is evidence of predisposition. Whittle, 34
M.J. at 208.
Here, the Government conduct did not create a substantial risk that an
undisposed person or otherwise law-abiding citizen would commit the offense.
Appellant, by his actions, demonstrated his predisposition to commit the un-
derlying offense. Thus, we deny his claim of entrapment.
b. Substantial Step
Appellant also argues that there is insufficient evidence that he took a
substantial step toward the commission of the offense of sexual assault of a
child. The third element of attempt is that the overt act amounted to more
than mere preparation. MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 4.b; see also United States v. Payne,
73 M.J. 19, 24 (C.A.A.F. 2014). Military courts have interpreted this third el-
ement as requiring that the accused take a “substantial step” toward com-
mission of the crime. United States v. Jones, 37 M.J. 459, 461 (C.M.A. 1993)
(citing Article 80, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 880); United States v. Schoof, 37 M.J.
96, 102 (C.M.A. 1993)). To constitute a substantial step, the overt act must
amount to “more than mere preparation.” United States v. Winckelmann, 70
M.J. 403, 407 (C.A.A.F. 2011). It must be a direct movement towards the
commission of the offense MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 4.c.(2). However, the overt act need
3 Although not expressly raised by Appellant, we also find that the Government’s
conduct in this operation was not so outrageous as to rise to the level of a Constitu-
tional Due Process violation.
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
not be the last proximate act to the consummation of the offense attempted to
be perpetrated. United States v. Thomas, 32 C.M.R. 278, 288 (C.M.A. 1962).
As detailed above, over a period of days, Appellant communicated with a
person represented to be a 14-year-old girl. He described for this person in
graphic detail the types of sexual acts he wanted to perform on her. Ultimate-
ly, he walked across base in 30-degree weather to a house where he expected
to find this girl alone. Once there, he walked up the driveway toward the
front door. We find that the evidence supports the inference beyond a reason-
able doubt that Appellant’s actions constituted a substantial step toward the
commission of the underlying offense of sexual assault of a child.
c. Voluntary Abandonment
Appellant’s final argument with respect to legal and factual sufficiency is
that he voluntarily abandoned his plan to sexually assault a child, and thus
is not guilty of this attempt offense.
Voluntary abandonment is an affirmative defense to a completed attempt
offense. Schoof, 37 M.J. at 103; United States v. Byrd, 24 M.J. 286, 290
(C.M.A. 1987). “It is a defense to an attempt offense that the person voluntar-
ily and completely abandoned the intended crime, solely because of the per-
son’s own sense that it was wrong, prior to the completion of the crime.”
MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 4.c.(4). The defense is raised when the accused abandons his
effort to commit a crime “under circumstances manifesting a complete and
voluntary renunciation of his criminal purpose.” Schoof, 37 M.J. at 104 (cita-
tion omitted); United States v. Rios, 33 M.J. 436, 440–41 (C.M.A. 1991). Vol-
untary abandonment does not exist “if the abandonment results, in whole or
in part, from other reasons, for example, the person feared detection or appre-
hension, decided to await a better opportunity for success, was unable to
complete the crime, or encountered unanticipated difficulties or unexpected
resistance.” MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 4.c.(4) (emphasis added).
The existence of abandonment as a defense “necessarily implies that a
punishable attempt precedes it.” United States v. Collier, 36 M.J. 501, 510
(A.F.C.M.R. 1992). “A person who has performed an act which is beyond the
stage of preparation and within the zone of attempt may nevertheless avoid
liability for the attempt by voluntarily abandoning the criminal effort.” Byrd,
24 M.J. at 290 (citation omitted). Given that it is an affirmative defense, the
burden rests on the Prosecution, once it is put into controversy, to rebut the
defense beyond a reasonable doubt. R.C.M. 916(b)(1).
We find that Appellant did not voluntarily abandon his plan to meet and
have sex with a person he understood to be 14 years old, solely because of his
own sense that it was wrong. In Appellant’s second message to “Tina,” after
finding out that she was 14 years old, he wrote, “I am interested but I don’t
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
know you are young and you might get me in trouble.” Appellant’s very next
message states, “Where are we going to go? Is anywhere there? You not try-
ing to set me up right.” Appellant’s concern about getting caught was repeat-
ed over and over throughout the communications. In fact, he went so far as to
tell “Tina” to lie about her age so he could meet with her more safely. Appel-
lant never once indicated that he felt meeting a 14-year-old girl for sex was
wrong.
Further, Appellant never really abandoned his plan. Instead, he was ar-
rested in the driveway of the house where he had planned to meet this 14-
year-old girl alone. Effectively he was unable to complete the underlying of-
fense of sexual assault of a child because law enforcement stopped him. 4
Thus, we find beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence does not support
Appellant’s claim of voluntary abandonment.
Appellant responded to an advertisement on Craigslist by a purported
military dependent at Sheppard AFB. Within the first communications, this
person represented that she was a 14-year-old girl named “Tina.” Appellant
then pursued “Tina” for an in-person meeting, raised the issue of sex between
them, and walked across base to meet her alone before he was arrested by
law enforcement. We believe, considering the evidence in the light most fa-
vorable to the Prosecution, a reasonable factfinder could have found all the
essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Turner, 25 M.J. at 324; see al-
so Humpherys, 57 M.J. at 94.
Additionally, after weighing the evidence in the record of trial and mak-
ing allowances for not having personally observed the witnesses, we are con-
vinced of the Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Turner, 25 M.J. at
325; see also United States v. Reed, 54 M.J. 37, 41 (C.A.A.F. 2000).
2. Specification 2 – Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child 5
The same four elements of attempt apply to the offense of sexual abuse of
a child. The elements of the underlying offense of sexual abuse of a child are:
1. The accused committed a lewd act upon a person; and
2. The person was a child who had not attained the age of 16
years.
4 We recognize that Appellant was also unable to complete the underlying offense
because Tina was an undercover agent and not a 14-year-old girl, and hence he was
charged with attempted sexual assault of a child.
5This issue is raised pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A.
1982).
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 45b.a.(c).
The military judge defined a lewd act as:
intentionally exposing one’s genitalia, anus, or buttocks, to a
child by any means, including via any communication technol-
ogy, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any
person; or, intentionally communicating indecent language to a
child by any means including via any communications technol-
ogy, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of
any person.
The military judge further defined indecent language as language which
is:
grossly offensive to the community sense of modesty, decency,
or propriety, or shocks the moral sense of the community, be-
cause of its tendency to incite lustful thought. Language is in-
decent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite lustful
thought, either expressly or by implication from the circum-
stances under which it was spoken.
The basis for the offense of sexual abuse of a child was that Appellant
sent sexually explicit messages and a photo of his penis to “Tina,” a person he
believed to be 14 years old. There is no question that Appellant was informed
that Tina was 14 years old. Appellant repeatedly commented on Tina’s age
and that he might get in trouble for communicating with her. At one point, he
tried to get “Tina” to lie about her age, which further evidences his belief of
her age and the wrongfulness of his conduct.
There is also no question that Appellant sent sexually explicit messages
using indecent language to Tina, including descriptions of the various sexual
acts he wanted to perform on her. 6 The evidence additionally supports that
Appellant sent a photo of his penis to a person he understood to be 14 years
old. We have considered whether Appellant had the specific intent to send
these messages and photos to a person under 16 years of age and find that
the evidence clearly supports such a conclusion. We further find that the acts
of sending the messages and photo amounted to more than mere preparation
and tended to affect the commission of the underlying offense. In fact, the
underlying offense of sexual abuse of a child would have been committed had
6 These messages include language such as “beg for daddys big black c[**]k,” and “I
just going to put my d[**]k in you.”
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
“Tina” actually been a 14-year-old girl. We also find that no defense applies to
Appellant’s conduct.
Accordingly, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, a reasonable factfinder could have found all the essential ele-
ments beyond a reasonable doubt. Turner, 25 M.J. at 324; see also Humph-
erys, 57 M.J. at 94. Further, after weighing the evidence in the record of trial
and making allowances for not having personally observed the witnesses, we
are convinced of the Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Turner, 25
M.J. at 325; see also Reed, 54 M.J. at 41. Thus, Specification 2 is legally and
factually sufficient.
B. Voluntary Abandonment Instruction
Appellant’s second assignment of error is that he was prejudiced by the
military judge’s failure to give a proper voluntary abandonment instruction
specifically related to the offense of attempted sexual assault of a child. Ap-
pellant argues that his trial defense counsel requested an instruction, but the
instruction given failed to include the following portion from the Military
Judges’ Benchbook:
The burden is on the prosecution to establish the [accused’s]
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, unless you are
satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the [accused] did not
completely and voluntarily abandon his criminal purpose, you
may not find the accused guilty [of the target offense.]
Department of the Army Pamphlet 27-9, Military Judges’ Benchbook, ¶ 5-
15 (10 Sep. 2014). Appellant acknowledges his trial defense counsel did not
object to the following instruction which was given:
The defense of voluntary abandonment has been raised by the
evidence with respect to the offense of attempted sexual assault
of a minor as alleged in specification 1 of the charge. In deter-
mining this issue, you must consider all the relevant facts and
circumstances, including, but not limited to, any evidence you
may have heard with respect to whether or not the accused ap-
proached the door of the house in question before being appre-
hended.
If you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of each of the el-
ements of attempted sexual assault of a minor, you may not
find the accused guilty of this offense if, prior to the completion
of the offense of sexual assault of a minor, the accused aban-
doned his effort to commit that offense under circumstances
manifesting a complete and voluntary renunciation of the ac-
cused’s criminal purpose.
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
Renunciation of criminal purpose is not voluntary if it is moti-
vated in whole or in part by circumstances not present or ap-
parent at the inception of the accused’s attempt that increases
the probability of detection or apprehension or makes more dif-
ficult the accomplishment of the criminal purpose. Renuncia-
tion is not voluntary if it is motivated in whole or in part by
fear of immediate detection or apprehension, by the resistance
of the victim, or by the inability to commit the crime.
Renunciation is not complete if it is motivated by a decision to
postpone the criminal conduct until a more advantageous time.
We review de novo the propriety of the military judge’s instructions to the
members. United States v. Ober, 66 M.J. 393, 405 (C.A.A.F. 2008). The mili-
tary judge bears the primary responsibility for ensuring that the court mem-
bers are properly instructed on the elements of the offense as well as poten-
tial defenses, and his duty is to provide an accurate, complete, and intelligible
statement of the law. Id.; United States v. Medina, 69 M.J. 462, 465 (C.A.A.F.
2011); United States v. Wolford, 62 M.J. 418, 419 (C.A.A.F. 2006). A defense
counsel’s failure to object does not constitute waiver as waiver does not apply
to required instructions such as affirmative defenses. United States v. Stan-
ley, 71 M.J. 60, 63 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (citations omitted). When instructional er-
rors have constitutional implications, as in instructions involving affirmative
defenses, then the error is tested for prejudice under a “harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt” standard. United States v. Behenna, 71 M.J. 228, 234
(C.A.A.F. 2012) (citing United States v. Lewis, 65 M.J. 85, 87 (C.A.A.F. 2007)).
We must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not con-
tribute to the appellant’s conviction in order to find such a constitutional er-
ror harmless. Id.
Voluntary abandonment only applies “under circumstances manifesting a
complete and voluntary renunciation of [an accused’s] criminal purpose.”
Schoof, 37 M.J. at 104. Here, we find no evidence that Appellant “voluntarily
and completely abandoned the intended crime, solely because of [his] own
sense that it was wrong.” MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 4.c.(4). Appellant argued at trial
that the AFOSI team leader thought Appellant might leave the area of the
house before reaching the front door, and thus Appellant abandoned his crim-
inal enterprise. The AFOSI agent who personally observed Appellant and
took him into custody, however, testified that Appellant was in the driveway
walking toward the front door of the house. Neither witness testified that
Appellant was in fact leaving the area at the time he was arrested. Thus, the
totality of the evidence belies any argument that Appellant voluntarily aban-
doned his effort to commit the underlying offense. Further, no evidence sup-
ports that Appellant abandoned his effort to commit the offense due to his
own sense that what he was doing was wrong. Instead, Appellant recognized
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
the wrongfulness of his conduct from the very start, repeatedly acknowledged
the wrongfulness throughout the criminal enterprise, and only ended his
criminal acts upon arrest by law enforcement. The evidence clearly shows
that Appellant’s main concern was being caught, which does not raise the de-
fense of voluntary abandonment.
We recognize, however, that the military judge gave a voluntary aban-
donment instruction. Accordingly, we further analyze the instruction provid-
ed to ensure that it was not inaccurate, confusing, or misleading. Ober, 66
M.J. at 405.
In this case, Appellant argues that the absence of a portion of the instruc-
tion improperly shifted the burden to Appellant to prove the affirmative de-
fense of voluntary abandonment. In support of this argument, Appellant cites
to United States v. Reed, No. ACM 37632, 2013 CCA LEXIS 441, at *13 (A.F.
Ct. Crim. App. 22 May 2013). In Reed, we found reversible error and set aside
a specification based in part on a similarly incomplete voluntary abandon-
ment instruction. Id. at *16. Reed is distinguishable, however, as our finding
of prejudicial error in that case was primarily based on the arguments of
counsel, which we held confused both the application of the voluntary aban-
donment instruction as well as the burden of proof. “The trial counsel’s find-
ings argument could easily have led the panel to incorrectly believe that vol-
untary abandonment was not applicable once the crime of attempted receipt
had been completed.” Id. at *14. “[T]he defense counsel’s argument implied
that the defense carried the burden.” Id. at *16.
Here, contrary to Reed, neither counsel mentioned the words “voluntary
abandonment” at all during their findings arguments. 7 Additionally, as in
Reed, “the military judge’s instructions provided the members with the cor-
rect state of the law.” Id. at *14–15. The instruction given to the members
regarding voluntary abandonment correctly set forth all of the elements of
that defense and circumstances under which it applies. Further, considering
the totality of the instructions, the military judge stated multiple times that
the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt was on the Government. There
was nothing in the voluntary abandonment instruction or other circumstanc-
7 Trial defense counsel used the word “abandoned” one time in findings argument
when asserting that Appellant did not have the specific intent to commit the offense
of sexual assault on a child. Within this same portion of the argument on specific in-
tent, trial defense counsel noted, “[i]f you had any doubts about what happened in
front of that house, you should resolve those in favor of [Appellant].” Thus, as op-
posed to confusing the standard, trial defense counsel reminded the members that
doubt should be resolved in favor of Appellant.
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
es of this case that confused that basic truth. Thus, based on the facts of this
case, we find the military judge did not err in failing to provide a portion of
the Military Judges’ Benchbook voluntary abandonment instruction.
Further, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that, even if it was
error to omit a portion of the voluntary abandonment instruction, such error
did not contribute to the appellant’s conviction, and therefore was harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt. Lewis, 65 M.J. at 87.
C. Overt Act Instruction
Appellant also argues that it was improper for the military judge to in-
struct on overt acts that were not alleged in the specification for attempted
sexual assault of a child. Military case law has long accepted the pleading of
attempts under Article 80, UCMJ, 10 USC § 880, without alleging the overt
act. United States v. Marshall, 40 C.M.R. 138, 142–43 (C.M.A. 1969); see also
United States v. Garner, 28 M.J. 634 (A.F.C.M.R. 1989). Nothing in the Man-
ual for Courts-Martial requires—either implicitly or expressly—that that the
overt act must be pleaded as part of the specification in an attempt. United
States v. Mobley, 31 M.J. 273, 278 (C.M.A. 1990).
Here, Appellant opposed the military judge’s proposed instruction inform-
ing the members that:
you must be convinced by legal and competent evidence beyond
a reasonable doubt . . . the accused did certain acts, that is, de-
parting his dormitory room, walking toward an address provid-
ed by Tina, and approaching a home located at that address.
Trial defense counsel objected to the military judge supplying the possible
overt acts needed to prove the offense. However, “alleging an overt act is un-
necessary in pleading an attempt specification under court-martial proce-
dure.” Garner, 28 M.J. at 635; see also United States v. Marshall, 40 C.M.R.
138, 143–44 (C.M.A. 1969). The only question is whether the evidence sup-
ported the overt acts the military judge chose to include in the instruction.
In this case, the Government offered testimony that Appellant left his
dorm room, walked across base to an address “Tina” provided, and ap-
proached the house at that address. Thus, it was not error for the military
judge to offer that evidence as possible overt acts related to the alleged at-
tempt offense. It was then up to the members to determine whether any of
the acts were proven beyond a reasonable doubt and whether “they were a
substantial step and a direct movement toward the commission of the intend-
ed offense,” as the military judge further instructed. The military judge also
defined substantial step as “one that is strongly corroborative of the accused’s
criminal intent and it indicative of his resolve to commit the offense.”
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United States v. Preston, No. ACM 38996
Given the law and the facts of this case, we find no error in the military
judge’s instructions on overt acts.
III. CONCLUSION
The findings and the sentence are correct in law and fact, and no error
materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Articles
59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the findings
and sentence are AFFIRMED.
FOR THE COURT
KURT J. BRUBAKER
Clerk of the Court
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