USAF Captain Convicted at Court Martial, Skips Sentencing Hearing, Offs Self

| January 25, 2020

Capt Kevin Larson was an RPA (AKA “drone”) pilot assigned to Creech AFB, NV.  He also apparently had a severly frowned-upon hobby for a military officer:  using and distributing drugs.

Larson was convicted at court-martial for a number of UCMJ offenses:  drug use, possession, distribution, assault, conduct unbecoming of an officer and making a false official statement.  His sentencing hearing was to have been held recently.

Larson was a no-show at his sentencing hearing.  After his no-show, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Larson fled to northern California, possibly while en route to Washington state (where members of his family live).  Earlier this week, police in California observed his vehicle on Highway 101 and attempted to stop him.

Larson attempted to flee.  When that didn’t work, he apparently offed himself in Mendocino County.

A sad waste.  But given the circumstances, the only ones here for whom I really have any sympathy are any innocent survivors Larson leaves behind (he was reportedly married and his parents apparently are still alive).

IMO SGLI needs a provision barring payment of benefits when someone commits suicide during the period starting with a court-martial conviction for any crime that could result in a punitive discharge and ending when their sentence is approved by the convening authority.  One can argue, IMO with substantial justification, that the lack of such a provision actually encourages those convicted to off themselves vice face the consequencs of their crimes while at the same time financially benefiting the families they’re leaving behind.

Category: Air Force, Crime

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2banana

We were briefed that SGLI doesn’t pay for suicide unless the person was deployed to a combat zone.

“IMO SGLI needs a provision barring payment of benefits when someone commits suicide during the period starting with a court-martial conviction for any crime that could result in a punitive discharge…”

Comm Center Rat

Cause of death is irrelevant for purposes of paying SGLI (see 38 USC Sections 1965 – 1976 and 38 CFR Part 9). So long as you are covered, SGLI will pay your beneficiaries even if your death is the result of suicide regardless of location (combat zone, garrison, etc.).

SGLI will not pay out in certain circumstances, but these circumstances relate to whether the individual was covered by SGLI at the time of death. For example, a service member who is AWOL for more than 30 days, confined by civilian authorities for more than 30 days, or serves more than 30 days under a court martial sentence involving total forfeiture of all pay and allowances is no longer covered by SGLI (see 38 U.S.C. Section 1968(a)(1)(B)). Further, any person guilty of mutiny, treason, spying, or desertion, or who because of conscientious objections, refuses to perform service in the Armed Forces of the U.S. or refuses to wear the uniform is not covered by SGLI (see 38 U.S.C. Section 1973).

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed attorney or insurance agent and offer no legal or financial advice.

2banana

You saying the SGM was just making sh!t up???

Hack Stone

You know who else was not a licensed attorney? That’s right, Daniel Bernath.

SgtM

In the 80’s my neighbor offed himself in housing at the Crater in Hawaii. He found his wife was cheating on him. They gave her SGLI. She took the money and ran.

5th/77th FA

One would think that an AF Captain was making enough to where he wouldn’t have to sell dope to feed the family. I do have some sympathy for his family and friends. For him…not so much. As my Granny used to say, “You made your bed, now lay in it!” She was a firm believer in accepting responsibility AND the punishment for your actions.

SFC D

I’m thinking he was selling dope to feed his habit, not his family.

Hack Stone

He didn’t want to alienate his co-workers by having them join one of those multi level marketing scams. At least give him credit for that.

A Proud Infidel®™️

I can say that I never saw anyone get Court Martialed for selling Amway!

Hack Stone

Had two Sergeants in the Comm Platoon sign up every PFC in the shop. Not a word from the Command Element about this being a conflict of interest. Hack just went to the Amway presentations for the free beer.

Thunderstixx

I had a Grandmother like that….
I never did it again, I’m still humiliated by getting my ass spanked in the supermarket in Iowa City….

Jeff LPH 3, 63-66

Of course you all know that I’m a little slow on some of this stuff, but what does SGLI stand for. I see the LI at the end meaning maybe life insurance but not sure of the first two SG letters.

Hack Stone

Servicemen (Servicemember?) Group Life Insurance.

Fyrfighter

I believe it is / was Servicemans group life insurance…they’ve probably changed it to service members or something similar to be more gender neutral

rgr769

Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance. Everyone on AD gets it. You had it even back in ‘66. But the amount was only $15,000.

11B-Mailclerk

servicemembers group life insurance

Fyrfighter

Damn, should have read one more comment before posting mine…

11B-Mailclerk

Would have helped if I had posted it in the right place, eh?

11B-Mailclerk

Hondo,

Perhaps someone ruthlessly calculated that the payout of SGLI was far less expensive, or at least less hassle, than warehousing some schmuck in a disciplinary barracks (possibly for decades).

Not -quite- the same as leaving the convicted man alone with a revolver and one round, but perhaps not that much different.

rgr769

He shoulda just gone to the People’s Democratic Republic of Seattle and sought asylum.

Mike Kozlowski

…All things considered, he may well have been running to folks he thought might help/hide him.

And AFOSI better be going over every square inch of this clown’s career with a carrot peeler, and right the hell now. He had access to some of the crown jewels of our tech, and I can’t shake the thought that he might well have been running to meet Pioytr or Mr. Wu to get out of the country and spill the rest of the beans.

Jeff LPH 3, 63-66

My thanks goes out to everyone for straightening out my butt on my not understanding the above SGLI stood for.

AverageNCO

I have it from a first-hand source that this guy had issues all the way back to his early training days. Guess what for?
Wearing unauthorized medals.
Stolen Valor….so often just a tip on the iceberg.