Argued on February 14, 2019.

Case Summary: A panel of officer and enlisted members sitting as a general court-martial convicted appellant, a Master-At-Arms Seaman (E-3), contrary to his pleas, of one specification of sexual assault in violation of Article 120, UCMJ. The members sentenced him to confinement for eight years, reduction to the pay grade of E-1, total forfeiture of pay and allowances, and a dishonorable discharge. The CA ordered the sentence executed, except for the dishonorable discharge.

Issues:

I. Does Article 120(b)(1)(B) of the UCMJ fail to provide adequate standards by which an ordinary person can intelligently choose, in advance, whether a sexual encounter would be lawful, rendering it unconstitutionally vague?

II. Were the findings instructions plainly erroneous because lack of consent was not included as an element of the offense of sexual assault by bodily harm, and because the instructions would have permitted a conviction without the prosecution proving lack of consent beyond a reasonable doubt?

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