Misawa Airman found guilty in court-martial Published July 31, 2009 By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The final of three 35th Fighter Wing Airmen connected with damaging property on and off base was found guilty in a general court-martial tried by a judge alone July 29. Airman 1st Class Michael T. Kerr, 35th Security Forces Squadron, entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to reduction to the rank of airman basic, 15 months confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a bad conduct discharge for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Charges included: one specification of conspiracy, one specification of failure to obey a lawful order, three specifications of damage and destruction of military property of the United States, and one specification of housebreaking for entering a dormitory to remove evidence, and two specifications of obstruction of justice. The Airman was connected to committing vandalism at the Misawa Air Base golf course Jan. 31 resulting in damages in excess of $74,000 and was conspiring with two other Misawa members to damage non-military property off base Feb. 4. Maj. Dustin Sutton, 35th Security Forces commander, testified during the court-martial that while Misawa AB benefits from a strong relationship with Japanese National Police, off-base offenses by Airmen damage that relationship, especially when the offenders are police. Through the UCMJ process, the facts of this case have been considered and evaluated in an impartial manner to ensure the outcome of this court-martial was fair and just. Likewise, base officials cooperated fully with the Government of Japan officials to ensure justice for Japanese victims.