An RAF Lakenheath, England-based airman pleaded guilty Monday to using Ecstasy and marijuana, the fourth plea to result from an undercover sting last year at the base’s dormitories.
The bust netted 10 airmen overall and a stash of narcotics.
Airman David Murphy — who has been in the Air Force for 20 months and is with the Lakenheath-based 48th Dental Squadron — pleaded guilty to two counts of wrongfully using a controlled substance between March 1 and Sept. 6 of last year, according to a news release sent out Tuesday by representatives of the 48th Fighter Wing, Lakenheath’s main tenant unit.
Murphy was sentenced to a reduction in rank to airman basic and three months’ confinement.
All four airmen charged in connection with the September bust have pleaded guilty.
On March 13, Airman Basic Anthony Skervin, of the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron, pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to four months’ confinement and a bad-conduct discharge.
Airman Ronald Moore Jr., of the 48th Medical Support Squadron, pleaded guilty to the same charges on March 7 and received a sentence of four months’ confinement, reduction in rank to airman basic and a bad-conduct discharge.
During a court-martial on Feb. 2, Senior Airman Christopher Givens, of the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 21 days’ confinement and reduction to airman basic.
A Lakenheath spokeswoman, Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young, would not comment on the varying sentences handed down to the four airmen for the same charges, stating only that each case was judged individually.
To date, no other charges have been preferred against any other airmen in connection with the September bust, but additional charges are expected against six other airmen, including one from nearby RAF Mildenhall, Lakenheath spokeswoman Maj. Beth Horine said earlier this month.
Twelve individuals were initially under investigation, but two were not charged, she said.
Air Force authorities began investigating rumors about a drug distribution ring in early 2006, and that led to the bust.
“There are still more airmen to be charged,” Young said Tuesday.
