If you are under investigation at Shaw AFB — do not speak to investigators, CID, or OSI without a civilian defense attorney present.
Call Now: 717.612.4840Shaw AFB is home to the 20th Fighter Wing — the largest F-16 combat wing in the Air Force — and one of the most active military justice environments in the Carolinas. Investigations here move fast. The moment command opens a case, the clock starts, and every decision you make before you have a defense attorney can be used against you.
Since the Military Justice Improvement Act and the creation of the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) in 2023, serious charges — including sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence — are now prosecuted independently of base command. That means the local commander no longer controls whether your case goes to court-martial. A dedicated team of prosecutors does. They pursue these cases aggressively, and they have experience doing it.
Your JAG-appointed defense counsel is good — but they carry a heavy caseload, have limited investigative resources, and answer to the same chain of command that is investigating you. An experienced civilian military defense attorney changes that dynamic entirely.
The Air Force publicly publishes disciplinary outcomes for sexual misconduct cases on its base transparency pages. If you are charged, your result will be listed. Here is what those cases look like — and what is at stake.
| Charge / Allegation | Action Taken | Outcome | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Assault (Art. 120) | General Court-Martial | Guilty — 1 of 3 specifications | Confinement, Dishonorable Discharge, Sex Offender Registration |
| Abusive Sexual Contact (Art. 120) | General Court-Martial | Acquitted — all specifications | Case dismissed; career intact |
| Sexual Harassment | Article 15 (NJP) | Reprimand, reduction in rank | Rank loss, career impact, potential separation |
| Indecent Recording (Art. 117a) | Special Court-Martial | Guilty plea | Bad Conduct Discharge, 12 months confinement |
| Domestic Violence (Art. 128b) | General Court-Martial | Guilty | 17 months confinement, Bad Conduct Discharge |
| Stalking (Art. 130) | Article 15 (NJP) | Substantiated; NJP imposed | Forfeiture of pay, extra duty, restriction |
Note on OSTC: Since 2023, the Office of Special Trial Counsel handles all Article 120, 117a, 128b, and 130 charges independent of local command. This means prosecution decisions are made by specialists whose sole job is to pursue these cases. The acquittals above happened because defendants had experienced civilian counsel who challenged the evidence before trial ever began.
Every case we take at Shaw AFB is handled by attorneys who understand the Air Force, the UCMJ, and what is at stake for your career, your family, and your future.
General and special courts-martial under the UCMJ. We handle every stage — from the initial Article 32 hearing through verdict and sentencing. Our goal is always dismissal, acquittal, or the most favorable outcome available.
Learn MoreArticle 120 (rape and sexual assault), Article 120c (indecent viewing), Article 117a (indecent recording), and related charges. These cases are prosecuted by OSTC specialists — you need a defense attorney with equivalent experience and preparation.
Learn MoreNon-judicial punishment feels minor — until you lose a stripe, get a reprimand in your file, or get flagged for separation. You have the right to refuse NJP and demand a court-martial. We help you understand which path protects your record.
Learn MoreA separation board can end your career and strip you of benefits without a criminal conviction. We represent airmen at Chapter proceedings and boards, challenging the characterization of service and fighting for honorable discharges.
Learn MoreAt Shaw, where classified mission support is central to the 20th FW, losing your clearance means losing your career. We handle clearance revocations, SOR responses, and DOHA appeals — keeping you in the fight.
Learn MoreA Commander's Directed Investigation (CDI) or Inspector General complaint can move to criminal charges faster than most airmen expect. We advise from day one — before a CDI becomes a referral to OSI or the OSTC.
Learn MoreUnderstanding the process helps you move faster. Every stage below is a decision point. The earlier you have a defense attorney, the more options you have.
A complaint is filed — through command, SARC, OSI, or an IG hotline. This triggers an investigation. You may not know you're under investigation until OSI contacts you.
Air Force OSI leads criminal investigations. They gather statements, pull records, and build a case file. Anything you say to OSI — even casually — is recorded and can be used against you.
For serious offenses (Art. 120, 128b, 130), OSI refers the case to the OSTC, which decides independently whether to prosecute, accept a plea, or refer for NJP. For lesser offenses, command retains authority.
A general court-martial requires an Article 32 preliminary hearing — similar to a grand jury. This is one of the best opportunities to challenge weak evidence before trial. An experienced attorney can shape the outcome at this stage.
Cases proceed to special or general court-martial, are resolved through a pre-trial agreement (plea), or are dismissed. Your fate is largely determined by the preparation done before this moment — not during it.
The window to act is narrow. Most defendants who hire civilian counsel early get better outcomes — not because they're guilty, but because the government builds its case fast.
Request a Confidential ConsultationArticle 120 of the UCMJ covers rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, and abusive sexual contact. At Shaw, these charges are brought almost exclusively by the OSTC — not the base commander — which means the prosecution team is specialized, experienced, and motivated by mission, not command politics.
A conviction for rape under Article 120 carries a mandatory minimum of life imprisonment. Sexual assault carries up to 30 years. Every conviction triggers automatic sex offender registration, a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, and permanent loss of all VA benefits. There is no version of an Article 120 conviction that doesn't end a military career.
False or exaggerated allegations do happen. Consent disputes happen. And in the military, a complaint alone is enough to trigger a full criminal investigation — before any evidence is verified. The burden is on you to build a defense, and that defense has to start before OSI builds a file.
If you've been notified that you are the subject of a sexual misconduct investigation at Shaw — even informally by your first sergeant or supervisor — contact a civilian defense attorney today. You have Article 31b rights. Use them.
These maximums apply under the UCMJ. Actual sentences vary based on the specific charge, specifications, and mitigating factors presented at sentencing. This is not legal advice.
Service members and their families come to us with the same urgent questions. Here are the honest answers.
R. Davis Younts is a former military officer and JAG attorney who has spent his career defending service members facing the most serious charges under the UCMJ. He understands the Air Force culture, the pressure inside a unit under investigation, and the tactics prosecutors use at every stage.
We represent airmen stationed at or connected to Shaw AFB — whether they are active duty with the 20th Fighter Wing, assigned to ACC, or attached units on base. We are available by phone immediately when your situation can't wait.
We do not take every case that comes through the door. We take cases we can fight — and when we take yours, we prepare it completely.
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Aggressive representation at all stages of the court martial process.
Learn More →Comprehensive counsel for active duty, reserve, and retired service members.
Learn More →Defending the religious liberties of service members and veterans.
Learn More →Civilian criminal defense and professional license protection.
Learn More →Advocacy for survivors navigating military and civilian legal systems.
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