Airman convicted of cocaine use
HURLBURT FIELD - A Hurlburt Field Airman was convicted of cocaine use during a court-martial Nov. 7.
Airman 1st Class Blake Benjamin, a student with Det. 3, 342nd Training Squadron, pleaded guilty to one charge of drug use. He was sentenced to 105 days of confinement, forfeiture of $867 a month for three months and reduction in grade to airman basic.
"We respect the judge's decision but, obviously, we would have liked a lighter sentence," said Area Defense Counsel Capt. Charlton Meginley. "Airman Benjamin did receive a fair trial and sentence."
Airman Benjamin admitted to using cocaine at a downtown hotel earlier this year, and he showed remorse during the one-day trial.
"I was drunk and stupid," the 24-year-old former tactical air control party student said while on the stand.
He is confined in the brig at Naval Air Station Pensacola. A pre-trial agreement limited Airman Benjamin's confinement to just 90 days.