At the end of 2018, Major Matthew Golsteyn, a highly decorated Army Special Forces officer, was charged with premeditated murder of a Taliban bomb-maker, who is known to be responsible for the deaths of at least two U.S. Marines in Marjah, despite the prior conclusion of an Army Board of Inquiry that no clear evidence of any violation of the rules of engagement during Major Golsteyn’s 2010 deployment existed. A previous probe into Golsteyn’s actions was closed.
On November 15, 2019, President Trump intervened in the case and used his Executive Clemency powers to pardon Major Matt Golsteyn.
UAP continues to support Major Matt Golsteyn in his fight to have his Special Forces tab restored and his Distinguished Service Cross medal (that the Army had already approved) presented.
On November 15, 2019 President Trump intervened in 1LT Clint Lorance's case and granted him a Presidential Pardon. He was released from Leavenworth prison later that evening and reunited with family after serving more than six years of a nineteen year sentence.
Lorance never fired his rifle, but gave the order to fire to protect his soldiers after a paratrooper saw three Afghan men on a single motorcycle speeding at the Platoon's patrol through a minefield. The Army claimed the riders were civilian casualties, but fingerprint and DNA evidence shows they left their prints and DNA on improvised explosive devices, which the prosecution did not disclose. Additionally, the prosecution did not disclose an Army Report that concluded Lorance's platoon was being scouted for an impending attack or ambush and that at least one insurgent was killed. Nine soldiers were initially accused of murder, but given immunity and ordered to cooperate against Lorance.
On 16 April 2009, 1SG John Hatley was court-martialed and found guilty of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit premeditated murder of four Iraqi detainees in 2007 near Baghdad. According to evidence and testimony presented at Hatley’s trial, the Iraqis were taken into custody after an exchange of fire with Hatley’s unit. Hatley was sentenced to life in prison with an opportunity for parole, reduction to E-1, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. This is despite the lack of any ballistic or forensic evidence, but based solely on the testimony of a few soldiers who had taken pre-trial agreements in exchange for testimony leading to his conviction.
John’s sentence was reduced by the convening authority to 40-years. In June 2016, his
sentence was further reduced to 25 years by the Army Clemency and Parole Board, where he was serving at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. In October 2019, the Army Clemency and Parole Board granted John parole. He was released on October 16, 2020.
Sergeant First Class Robert Nicoson found himself and 16 of his men fighting their way out of a complex ambush during combat operations in Syria after being waved through a checkpoint in August 2020. SFC Nicoson was officially charged with two counts of failure to follow a lawful order, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of wrongful communication, and three counts of obstruction of justice. On January 7, 2022, an Army court-martial panel (jury) comprised of 2 Lieutenant Colonels and 6 Command Sergeants Major found Sergeant First Class Robert Nicoson, U.S. Army, not guilty of all seven allegations. A motion for a finding of not guilty was granted to an eighth allegation at the end of the evidence phase.
Sergeant Derrick Miller was convicted of murder and given a life sentence. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Miller for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Derrick’s life sentence was reduced to 20 years. SGT Miller had a successful parole hearing in February of 2019, and was released from Leavenworth in May of 2019.
SGT Derrick Miller is now working on Capitol Hill.
Sergeant Michael Williams was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years confinement. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Williams for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Michael was released after serving 10 years.
Specialist Moser served with distinction in the 1-506 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during many combat engagements.
However, because he struck an enemy terrorist who bit him, Moser was administratively separated with a General Discharge and not authorized to re-enlist.
The Army involuntarily discharged him, not only in the face of a distinguished combat record and high praise from fellow Soldiers with whom he served under fire, but also on his ETS date, which means that his discharge by law must be Honorable.
Specialist Michael Wagnon was charged with premeditated murder for the shooting death of an Afghan man. UAP provided support for Wagnon to have civilian counsel throughout the lengthy process and was payed for experts and other unusual expenses during key pretrial motions. Murder charges were dismissed by the government just before trial.
Private First Class Corey Clagett was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years confinement. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Clagett for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Corey was released after serving 10 years.
Admiral John Richardson, the chief of Naval Operations, dropped all charges against Navy SEAL Lt. Jacob X. Portier in August 2019, one month before he was set to face trial over charges of failing to report the alleged war crimes of fellow SEAL Eddie Gallagher.
Following the dismissal of charges, Richardson ordered a review of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps, which prosecuted Gallagher and Portier.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
After some of the most intense combat in Afghanistan in 2010, First Lieutenant Shawn Blair was wrongly accused of 2 specifications of attempted murder, aggravated assaults, and other lesser offenses. With UAP’s support, Blair’s attorneys were able to enlist expert witnesses, a psychodramatist, a graphic arts expert, and fund the substantial travel expenses which allowed Blair’s attorney to travel to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for motions and extensive trial preparations 10 times. Ultimately, Blair was found not guilty of murder and assault.
Gunnery Sergeant Tim Hogan, Staff Sergeant Trey Fagan, and Mr. Michael Marlow – all part of U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) – were suspected of murdering a Taliban man. UAP provided support for Hogan, Fagan, and Marlow’s civilian defense team, before any charges were filed, to keep the US Attorneys from going forward in federal court.
Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich was the primary accused in the so-called “Haditha Massacre.” This was an extremely complex case which lasted six years. UAP provided continuous support for Wuterich to keep all of his civilian attorneys and enlist a graphic arts expert who made trial exhibits (animations and illustrations) which ultimately led to all homicide charges being dismissed at trial.
Sergeant Larry Hutchins the squad leader in the “Hamdania War Crimes” case who was charged with premeditated murder. Hutchins was convicted and sentenced to 15 years. UAP provided support after the conviction which ensured a successful appeal and the case was overturned. On retrial, Hutchins was given time served and served no additional confinement time.
Corporal Jonny Serna and two other Marines were charged with murder of two Taliban combatants in Afghanistan. UAP provided support for three civilian defense attorneys to represent the accused and work together through the charged period. Charges against all three were dismissed.
(Serna pictured second from right)
At the end of 2018, Major Matthew Golsteyn, a highly decorated Army Special Forces officer, was charged with premeditated murder of a Taliban bomb-maker, who is known to be responsible for the deaths of at least two U.S. Marines in Marjah, despite the prior conclusion of an Army Board of Inquiry that no clear evidence of any violation of the rules of engagement during Major Golsteyn’s 2010 deployment existed. A previous probe into Golsteyn’s actions was closed.
On November 15, 2019, President Trump intervened in the case and used his Executive Clemency powers to pardon Major Matt Golsteyn.
UAP continues to support Major Matt Golsteyn in his fight to have his Special Forces tab restored and his Distinguished Service Cross medal (that the Army had already approved) presented.
On November 15, 2019 President Trump intervened in 1LT Clint Lorance's case and granted him a Presidential Pardon. He was released from Leavenworth prison later that evening and reunited with family after serving more than six years of a nineteen year sentence.
Lorance never fired his rifle, but gave the order to fire to protect his soldiers after a paratrooper saw three Afghan men on a single motorcycle speeding at the Platoon's patrol through a minefield. The Army claimed the riders were civilian casualties, but fingerprint and DNA evidence shows they left their prints and DNA on improvised explosive devices, which the prosecution did not disclose. Additionally, the prosecution did not disclose an Army Report that concluded Lorance's platoon was being scouted for an impending attack or ambush and that at least one insurgent was killed. Nine soldiers were initially accused of murder, but given immunity and ordered to cooperate against Lorance.
On 16 April 2009, 1SG John Hatley was court-martialed and found guilty of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit premeditated murder of four Iraqi detainees in 2007 near Baghdad. According to evidence and testimony presented at Hatley’s trial, the Iraqis were taken into custody after an exchange of fire with Hatley’s unit. Hatley was sentenced to life in prison with an opportunity for parole, reduction to E-1, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. This is despite the lack of any ballistic or forensic evidence, but based solely on the testimony of a few soldiers who had taken pre-trial agreements in exchange for testimony leading to his conviction.
John’s sentence was reduced by the convening authority to 40-years. In June 2016, his
sentence was further reduced to 25 years by the Army Clemency and Parole Board, where he was serving at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. In October 2019, the Army Clemency and Parole Board granted John parole. He was released on October 16, 2020.
Sergeant First Class Robert Nicoson found himself and 16 of his men fighting their way out of a complex ambush during combat operations in Syria after being waved through a checkpoint in August 2020. SFC Nicoson was officially charged with two counts of failure to follow a lawful order, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of wrongful communication, and three counts of obstruction of justice. On January 7, 2022, an Army court-martial panel (jury) comprised of 2 Lieutenant Colonels and 6 Command Sergeants Major found Sergeant First Class Robert Nicoson, U.S. Army, not guilty of all seven allegations. A motion for a finding of not guilty was granted to an eighth allegation at the end of the evidence phase.
Sergeant Derrick Miller was convicted of murder and given a life sentence. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Miller for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Derrick’s life sentence was reduced to 20 years. SGT Miller had a successful parole hearing in February of 2019, and was released from Leavenworth in May of 2019.
SGT Derrick Miller is now working on Capitol Hill.
Sergeant Michael Williams was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years confinement. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Williams for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Michael was released after serving 10 years.
Specialist Moser served with distinction in the 1-506 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during many combat engagements.
However, because he struck an enemy terrorist who bit him, Moser was administratively separated with a General Discharge and not authorized to re-enlist.
The Army involuntarily discharged him, not only in the face of a distinguished combat record and high praise from fellow Soldiers with whom he served under fire, but also on his ETS date, which means that his discharge by law must be Honorable.
Specialist Michael Wagnon was charged with premeditated murder for the shooting death of an Afghan man. UAP provided support for Wagnon to have civilian counsel throughout the lengthy process and was payed for experts and other unusual expenses during key pretrial motions. Murder charges were dismissed by the government just before trial.
Private First Class Corey Clagett was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years confinement. UAP provided support for a civilian attorney to represent Clagett for the clemency and parole process. After a successful hearing before the Army Clemency & Parole Board, Corey was released after serving 10 years.
Admiral John Richardson, the chief of Naval Operations, dropped all charges against Navy SEAL Lt. Jacob X. Portier in August 2019, one month before he was set to face trial over charges of failing to report the alleged war crimes of fellow SEAL Eddie Gallagher.
Following the dismissal of charges, Richardson ordered a review of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps, which prosecuted Gallagher and Portier.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
In August 2019 the Navy Region Southwest's commander Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar put an end to a 2 and a half year case by dropping all war crime charges against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Daniel V. Dambrosio Jr., special operator Chief Petty Officers Xavier Silva and David Swarts, and their former commanding officer, Lt. Jason L. Webb.
The four members of SEAL Team 2 had been accused by military prosecutors of abusing detainees at Village Stability Platform Kalach in the Chora District of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on May 31, 2012.
The four SEALs had voluntarily entered non-judicial punishment proceedings, a Trident Review Board and other disciplinary hearings and were cleared, only to be charged at court-martial on Jan. 19, 2017, with what they said was little new evidence brought to the case.
After some of the most intense combat in Afghanistan in 2010, First Lieutenant Shawn Blair was wrongly accused of 2 specifications of attempted murder, aggravated assaults, and other lesser offenses. With UAP’s support, Blair’s attorneys were able to enlist expert witnesses, a psychodramatist, a graphic arts expert, and fund the substantial travel expenses which allowed Blair’s attorney to travel to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for motions and extensive trial preparations 10 times. Ultimately, Blair was found not guilty of murder and assault.
Gunnery Sergeant Tim Hogan, Staff Sergeant Trey Fagan, and Mr. Michael Marlow – all part of U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) – were suspected of murdering a Taliban man. UAP provided support for Hogan, Fagan, and Marlow’s civilian defense team, before any charges were filed, to keep the US Attorneys from going forward in federal court.
Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich was the primary accused in the so-called “Haditha Massacre.” This was an extremely complex case which lasted six years. UAP provided continuous support for Wuterich to keep all of his civilian attorneys and enlist a graphic arts expert who made trial exhibits (animations and illustrations) which ultimately led to all homicide charges being dismissed at trial.
Sergeant Larry Hutchins the squad leader in the “Hamdania War Crimes” case who was charged with premeditated murder. Hutchins was convicted and sentenced to 15 years. UAP provided support after the conviction which ensured a successful appeal and the case was overturned. On retrial, Hutchins was given time served and served no additional confinement time.
Corporal Jonny Serna and two other Marines were charged with murder of two Taliban combatants in Afghanistan. UAP provided support for three civilian defense attorneys to represent the accused and work together through the charged period. Charges against all three were dismissed.
(Serna pictured second from right)
