Can never lose my military bearing, ya know.
Posted on 12/17/2005 4:14:56 AM PST by Ninian Dryhope
The Air Force Reserve is discharging a lieutenant colonel accused of causing thousands of dollars in damage by defacing cars bearing pro-Bush bumper stickers, his lawyer and military officials confirmed Friday.
Lt. Col. Alexis Fecteau, a pilot with 500 combat hours in the first Persian Gulf war and the Balkans, is charged with felony criminal mischief. He is accused of using paint stripper and grease to write "F--- Bush" in 18-inch-high letters on cars at Denver International Airport that had bumper stickers supporting President Bush and conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh.
Jim Miller, a spokesman for the Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., said the command plans to begin the process of discharging Fecteau.
Fecteau's lawyer, Patrick Mulligan, disclosed that his client had undergone an Article 15, a military procedure used to punish service members for minor offenses that cannot result in jail time.
"Almost any human would regard it as punishment if they were told their career was terminated, they were demoted and their retirements benefits dramatically cut."
The Air Force Reserve did not return a call seeking comment on the Article 15, which wasn't disclosed by military officials.
Mullligan gave a hint of what his defense might be, noting that post traumatic stress disorder could appear years after extremely stressful experiences, like flying in combat. "There are millions of Americans who object to the war ... most of those millions of Americans didn't have, in addition, some of the combat experiences that Lt. Col. Fecteau and others had."
Larry Whittemore of Pueblo, who said his Ford Expedition suffered nearly $2,500 damage in the spree, welcomed the news that Fecteau faces discharge. "I don't think he is fit to be in the Air Force. This guy's charter is to protect and defend the Constitution and the people of the United States," said Whittemore.
Fecteau is charged with 13 counts of criminal mischief, five of them felonies because the damage to five vehicles was estimated at more than $500 each.
"If this had been an enlisted man he would have been court-martialed. No doubt about it. That's what is driving this train," said military analyst David Sheldon of Washington, D.C.
Police said the vehicles were damaged between January and July 2005 and that a "bait car" rigged with a video camera recorded Fecteau damaging a vehicle at the airport.
A spokeswoman for the Denver district attorney said the Air Force had asked to take jurisdiction in the case but prosecutors refused. "Our reply was 'no,"' spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough said. "If there were Air Force repercussions that would be fine; it didn't affect our filing."
Lt. Matthew Fuller, another spokesman at Robins, meanwhile, denied the Air Force wanted to take over the case.
An arrest warrant alleges that Fecteau admitted to investigators he had vandalized cars beginning around the time of the 2004 election. Much of the damage was minor, involving painting over bumper stickers.
After the charges became public, Fecteau was removed as director of operations for reserve forces at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs.
This is the first that I have read about him having his retirement benefits cut. He should have no benefits and he should be thrown in jail.
F*&% Bush in 18 inch tall letters written in paint stripper and someone thinks the damages are only worth $500.
It's more like $5000, the only reason it is under $1000 is to let him off easy.
"If this had been an enlisted man he would have been court-martialed. No doubt about it.
Exactly, 100 percent correct.
Can never lose my military bearing, ya know.
The picture of this mental defective flying an armed military aircraft boggles the mind.
I would suggest that no admitted Democrat Party member be allowed near a military installation, unless it is to clean the latrines, and then only under the watchfull eye of an illegal alien.
Totally agree with your #6. A psycho from the Charlie Manson branch of the Rat party especially. I would guess that he'll get plenty of financial/legal support from GEorge Soros, owner and CEO of the Charlie Manson branch of the Rat party.
This guy is a combat veteran. Thats makes him immune to punishment. Just as Murtha's military record makes him immune to criticism. Are you questioning this guys Patriotism? /S
"charged with felony criminal mischief. He is accused of using paint stripper and grease to write "F--- Bush" in 18-inch-high letters on cars at Denver International Airport that had bumper stickers supporting President Bush and conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh."
it doesn't matter what their background is, a criminal act is just that
He is obviously mentally ill.
After the owners have their Insurance Companies fix the damabged cars they will have their subrogation units go after him for all the damage. Those without insurance will have civil cases they can bring against him. It ain't over until its over. An Article 15 is "non" judicial punishment.
Hidious and disgusting. It's right up there with all those swastikas in fire departments, but planted by minorities; all those alleged "gay hate crimes" but planted by gays; and all those accusations and charges of rape; that weren't.
This defense is an abuse of those who are truly suffering and have suffered.
But why should any be surprised: A man who long ago horribly murdered 4 innocent people in Los Angeles is now being put on a par with Rosa Parks who murdered no one, suffered genuine inequality, and stood tall.
lol! (on the small print).
The article is not clear on this, but I believe his benefits from an Administrative Discharge would be limited to some from the Veterans Administration. Since he will be discharged, I'm confident there is no retirement benefit.
He should still do some prison time if found guilty.
I suspect there would be problems if the USAF tried to courtmartial him & have civilians prosecute him for the same crime. My guess (I'm not a lawyer) is that would be a double prosecution for the same crime.
If so, then non-judicial punishment is the strongest route the USAF can pursue.
The idiot is a LTC, not a COL.
A LTC is an 0-5, a COL is an O-6.
World of difference, as most LTC are just sitting around, taking up space, waiting for retirement.
The majority of the LTC have simply been thrown a bone, enough to keep them on AD, yet not in a position of much responsibility.
A COL is a brigade-level commander, garrison-level administrator or staff position of much responsibility.
This guy is a puke.
The only reason he made it to LTC is because of his flight time, which I think a closer look would reveal the majority of it to have been done as a senior 0-3 or junior 0-4.
If he had hung up his birkenstocks and gave up humming kumbaya in the shower, he may have made it to 0-6, but I doubt it.
What type of discharge will he receive?
* * *
A spokeswoman for the Denver district attorney said the Air Force had asked to take jurisdiction in the case but prosecutors refused. "Our reply was 'no,"' spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough said. "If there were Air Force repercussions that would be fine; it didn't affect our filing."
From this it looks like there might be some more sympathizers with Fectau in the Air Force. The civilian authorities seem to be doing a very good job of prosecuting this POS. It really surprises me that the AF isn't also prosecuting him with the goal of giving him a dishonorable discharge, something he definitely deserves.
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