United States v. Collins ( 2022 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 39296 (rem)
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Richard D. COLLINS
Master Sergeant (E-7), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 6 May 2022 1
________________________
Military Judge: Tiffany M. Wagner.
Approved sentence: Dishonorable discharge, confinement for 198
months, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and reduction to E-1. Sen-
tence adjudged 26 February 2017 by GCM convened at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida.
For Appellant: William E. Cassara, Esquire (argued); Major Mark J.
Schwartz, USAF; Major Dustin J. Weisman, USAF.
For Appellee: Major Michael T. Bunnell, USAF (argued); Lieutenant
Colonel Joseph J. Kubler, USAF; Major Brittany M. Speirs, USAF; Mary
Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before JOHNSON, POSCH, and KEY, Appellate Military Judges.
Chief Judge JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the court, in which Sen-
ior Judge POSCH and Senior Judge KEY joined.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 30.4.
1 We heard oral argument in this case on 28 June 2018, prior to the issuance of this
court’s original opinion.
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
________________________
JOHNSON, Chief Judge:
Appellant’s case is before us for the second time. A general court-martial
composed of officer and enlisted members found Appellant guilty, contrary to
his pleas, of one specification of rape in violation of Article 120, Uniform Code
of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 920.2 The court-martial sentenced Ap-
pellant to a dishonorable discharge, confinement for 198 months, forfeiture of
all pay and allowances, and reduction to the grade of E-1. The convening au-
thority approved the adjudged sentence.
On appeal, Appellant initially raised seven issues: (1) whether the statute
of limitations had run on the alleged offense of rape; (2) whether the evidence
was factually insufficient to support the conviction; (3) whether Appellant was
denied effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment3
where his trial defense counsel failed to present evidence of an alternative sus-
pect; (4) whether Appellant was subjected to unreasonable search and seizure
in violation of the Fourth Amendment;4 (5) whether Appellant was denied his
Sixth Amendment right to confrontation where the military judge permitted a
prosecution witness to testify by remote means; (6) whether Appellant’s Fifth
Amendment5 due process rights were violated by the loss of exculpatory evi-
dence in the 15 years between the alleged offense and the court-martial; and
(7) whether the convening authority committed unlawful command influence.6
Applying our superior court’s holding in United States v. Mangahas, 77 M.J.
220, 225 (C.A.A.F. 2018), overruled by United States v. Briggs, 141 S. Ct. 467,
474 (2020), we ruled in Appellant’s favor with respect to issue (1) and set aside
the findings of guilty and sentence, and dismissed the Charge and its Specifi-
cation, without addressing the other raised issues. United States v. Collins, 78
M.J. 530, 537 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2018), rev’d, 81 M.J. 63 (C.A.A.F. 2021).
The Judge Advocate General certified three issues for review by the United
States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF), which, in light of its
2 All references to Article 120, UCMJ, are to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United
States (2000 ed.). Unless otherwise noted, all other references to the UCMJ, the Rules
for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.), and the Military Rules of Evidence are to the Manual for
Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.).
3 U.S. CONST. amend. VI.
4 U.S. CONST. amend. IV.
5 U.S. CONST. amend. V.
6Appellant personally asserted issues (6) and (7) pursuant to United States v.
Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431 (C.M.A. 1982).
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
decision in United States v. Briggs, 78 M.J. 289 (C.A.A.F. 2019), rev’d, 141
S. Ct. 467 (2020), summarily affirmed this court’s decision. United States v.
Collins, 78 M.J. 415, 415–16 (C.A.A.F. 2019), rev’d, 141 S. Ct. 467 (2020).
The Government then filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United
States Supreme Court, which granted the petition, reversed the CAAF’s judg-
ment, and remanded Appellant’s case for further proceedings. Briggs, 141 S.
Ct. at 474. On remand to the CAAF, our superior court reversed this court’s
prior decision and returned Appellant’s case to The Judge Advocate General
for a new review by this court under Article 66, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866 (2012).
Upon remand to this court, Appellant reasserts four of the issues he ini-
tially raised in his original appeal: (1) whether the evidence is factually suffi-
cient to support his conviction; (2) whether he was denied effective assistance
of counsel; (3) whether the military judge erred by failing to suppress evidence
the Government obtained through unreasonable search and seizure; and (4)
whether the military judge erroneously permitted a prosecution witness to tes-
tify by remote means. We find no error materially prejudicial to Appellant’s
substantial rights, and we affirm the findings and sentence.
I. BACKGROUND
In August 2000, HA was a member of the Air National Guard stationed at
Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, where she was attending her initial
training as a radiology technician. HA had previously enlisted in the Army in
1999 before transferring to the Air National Guard, and her status as a “prior
service” student entitled her to somewhat different treatment and privileges
compared to most of her fellow trainees, who had arrived from Air Force basic
training and were referred to as “pipeline” students. Among other distinctions,
HA lived apart from the pipeline students and was prohibited from socializing
with them outside of training; she was entitled to have her own vehicle; and
she was able to visit the base’s enlisted club during her free time.
On 25 August 2000, HA went to the enlisted club alone to eat dinner. There
she noticed a group of four of her instructors sitting together, in uniform, drink-
ing and conversing. She recognized Appellant as one of these instructors. Ra-
diology students were prohibited from socializing with instructors outside of
training, and HA did not acknowledge or speak with the instructors. However,
as she sat eating alone she could hear bits of their conversation. While HA was
still at the club, the instructors got up to leave and HA recalled one of them
making a comment about having a pregnant wife. Three of the instructors de-
parted the club, but Appellant walked over to HA’s table.
HA believed Appellant was drunk based on his behavior. HA later testified
that in class Appellant had a “very stern” demeanor and “was not somebody
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
who joked around.” However, on this occasion Appellant was making jokes and
talking about the radiology students’ upcoming graduation; in addition, he was
slurring his words and smelled like “alcohol.” Based on her perception that
Appellant was intoxicated, HA suggested that he should take a taxi or shuttle
home, but Appellant declined and said he was “fine.” HA then offered to drive
Appellant home herself; at trial HA testified that her aunt had been killed by
a drunk driver and she was “worried about what could happen.” Appellant ac-
cepted HA’s offer.
HA did not know where Appellant lived and followed his directions to get
there. During the drive, Appellant was “playing with the locks of [her] car still
joking around acting like a kid.” At trial, HA remembered that Appellant lived
on a curved road close to an on-base school, and that Appellant lived in a sec-
tion of base housing with a name that started with the letter “W.” It was still
light outside when they arrived at Appellant’s house. HA recalled it was a sin-
gle-story house with grass and a tree and a walkway to the front door.
HA helped Appellant get out of her car by unbuckling his seat belt and
putting his feet on the ground. HA then helped Appellant to the door with his
arm draped over her shoulders. As they walked, Appellant was “playing
around” and “trying to stick his hand down her T-shirt.” In response, HA would
slap his hand and told him to “stop it,” and “chalked [his behavior] up to him
being drunk.” HA used Appellant’s keys to open the door for him and went
inside the house “just a little bit.”
According to HA, Appellant’s behavior then abruptly changed. He suddenly
pushed her against the wall and “held [her] by her chest where [her] throat is.”
Appellant did not seem drunk any more. Appellant made a comment that he
had seen HA “watching” him in class. HA pushed him and tried to move to the
door. Appellant then grabbed HA by the shoulder and pulled her down so that
she hit her head hard on the floor. HA later described her condition as “kind of
knocked out.” Her next memory was of Appellant on top of her trying to pull
her pants down. HA struggled against Appellant and tried to hit him, but Ap-
pellant punched her in the face. Appellant then penetrated HA’s vagina with
his penis.
While that was occurring, HA focused on a family portrait hanging on the
wall of Appellant’s living room. The portrait depicted Appellant, Appellant’s
wife CC, CC’s daughter, and Appellant’s and CC’s infant son who had been
born in 1999. HA also felt carpet underneath her, and felt Appellant’s white t-
shirt which kept hitting her in the face. After Appellant ejaculated, he stood
over her and told her if she “said anything that he would flunk [her], and that
nobody would believe [her] anyways because [she] was an Airman and he was
a Sergeant.” Appellant then walked away from her, and HA grabbed her
clothes and “ran out.” HA drove back to her billeting room and showered, and
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
saw that she had “blood coming off of [her].” HA did not call anyone or report
the offense during that weekend.
On Monday, 28 August 2000, HA went to her radiology classroom with a
black eye and scratches on her face and knuckles. After initially claiming that
she had fallen, HA reluctantly admitted to a female instructor that she had
been sexually assaulted. As a result, HA was transported to a civilian hospital
in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she underwent a sexual assault forensic exam
(SAFE). KH, the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) who examined HA,
noted a number of physical injuries including: a black eye; a cut below the eye;
tenderness on the back of the head; scratches and cuts on the knuckles; ten-
derness and a red mark or bruise on one shin; a cut on the inside of the mouth;
and a tear, an ulceration, and an abrasion in HA’s genital area. Due to the
extent of HA’s injuries, KH referred HA to the emergency room for treatment
once her exam was complete. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations
(AFOSI) and civilian police initiated investigations based on HA’s reported sex-
ual assault. HA did not want to identify Appellant as her assailant, and she
falsely stated that she had been assaulted in an off-base store parking lot by
an unknown male who had digitally penetrated her vagina.
HA graduated from her initial radiology course at Sheppard AFB in early
September 2000 while the AFOSI investigation continued. HA then went to
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, for the next phase of her training. After security
camera video from the store HA had identified failed to corroborate her state-
ments, AFOSI agents obtained permission from their chain of command to con-
duct a “confrontational” interview with her at Wright-Patterson AFB. When
confronted, HA became distraught and repeatedly asked to leave the interview,
but eventually admitted her prior account of the sexual assault was not true.
HA told the agents she made it up because she did not want to identify the
attacker, but she had been pressured at the hospital to say what had happened.
HA admitted she knew who the assailant was, but she said she did not want
to “ruin a family.” She denied the assailant had been one of her course instruc-
tors. Because HA refused to identify the perpetrator, AFOSI and the civilian
police eventually ended their investigations. Civilian authorities retained con-
trol of the evidence collected during the SAFE and destroyed its biological evi-
dence in 2002.
HA separated from the Air National Guard in 2003. In 2006 HA rejoined
the military as a member of the Air Force reserve. Also in 2006, HA suffered a
traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the frontal lobe of her brain while skydiving.
According to expert testimony introduced at trial, this injury resulted in some
impairment of “the speed and fluidity with which [HA] was able to respond to”
questions and to her short-term memory, but there was no evidence of impair-
ment to her long-term memory.
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
HA entered active duty with the Air Force in 2009. In April 2011, HA made
a restricted sexual assault report to Dr. AF, an Air Force mental health pro-
vider at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, stating that between 2000 and 2003 she
had been physically and sexually assaulted by an instructor, but she “did not
want to be involved.” Dr. AF referred HA to a Sexual Assault Response Coor-
dinator (SARC), to whom HA made a restricted report that she had been sex-
ually assaulted by an active duty Air Force member at Sheppard AFB, but HA
did not identify the assailant. These restricted reports were not referred to law
enforcement or investigated.
HA separated from the Air Force again in 2011. After her separation, HA
received disability payments and medical benefits through the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), to include counseling. However, after she moved to Flor-
ida, HA was not eligible to receive VA counseling in the local area where she
lived and had to drive over three hours to an eligible VA facility for counsel-
ing—including counseling related to sexual assault. HA attempted to modify
her benefits to include insurance that would permit her to obtain counseling in
the local area where she lived. However, the Air Force Board for Correction of
Military Records (BCMR) denied her request for the reason, as HA understood
it, that “there was no proof that a rape ever happened” to her. As a result, HA
obtained records from her treatment in the emergency room in 2000. However,
she was concerned about submitting these records because she still did not
want to report a crime. As a result of this concern, HA called the legal office at
Sheppard AFB in March 2014 and spoke with the Chief of Military Justice,
Captain (Capt) LW.7 HA asked Capt LW for advice concerning the ramifica-
tions of reporting a rape to the BCMR. In the course of their conversation, HA
identified Appellant as the perpetrator of the rape, and identified him as one
of her instructors. Capt LW explained to HA that their conversation consti-
tuted an unrestricted report of sexual assault, and Capt LW then notified the
AFOSI detachment at Sheppard AFB of HA’s report.
The AFOSI reinitiated their investigation; this time HA cooperated and
consistently identified Appellant as the perpetrator. Based on HA’s description
of the offense and the family portrait she saw on Appellant’s wall in August
2000, the AFOSI obtained a search authorization for the then-current resi-
dence of Appellant, who at that point was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida.
AFOSI agents executed the search and obtained three photographs of Appel-
lant with his family while he had been stationed at Sheppard AFB. One of
these photographs was a family portrait that closely matched the description
provided by HA. When shown the photographs obtained from the search, HA
7 LW separated from the Air Force before Appellant’s trial.
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
identified the portrait subsequently admitted at trial as Prosecution Exhibit 3
as the one she had seen on Appellant’s wall.
Appellant was charged with one specification of rape in violation of Article
120, UCMJ. After the Government presented its case-in-chief, including, inter
alia, the testimony of HA and numerous other witness, photographs of HA’s
injuries in 2000, and Prosecution Exhibit 3, the Defense presented its case
which included, inter alia, the testimony of Appellant and his wife, CC. Appel-
lant denied committing the offense or that HA had ever been to his residence
on Sheppard AFB. Moreover, Appellant and CC repeatedly and unequivocally
denied that Prosecution Exhibit 3 had ever been hung on the wall of their house
on Sheppard AFB. However, the Government contradicted this testimony with
a photograph of Appellant’s family sitting on the sofa in their living room on
Sheppard AFB; the bottom edge of Prosecution Exhibit 3 is visible and identi-
fiable at the top of the photograph, hanging on the wall behind the sofa.
The court members found Appellant guilty of the Charge and Specification.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Factual Sufficiency
1. Law
We review issues of factual sufficiency de novo. United States v. Washing-
ton, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted). “Our assessment of
legal and factual sufficiency is limited to evidence produced at trial.” United
States v. Rodela, 82 M.J. 521, 525 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2021) (citing United
States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993)), rev. denied, 2022 CAAF
LEXIS 278 (C.A.A.F. 12 Apr. 2022).
“The test for factual sufficiency is ‘whether, after weighing the evidence in
the record of trial and making allowances for not having personally observed
the witnesses, [we are] convinced of the [appellant]’s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt.’” Id. at 525 (quoting United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 325 (C.M.A.
1987)). “[T]he term ‘reasonable doubt’ does not mean that the evidence must
be free from any conflict . . . .” United States v. King, 78 M.J. 218, 221 (C.A.A.F.
2018) (citation omitted). “In conducting this unique appellate role, we take ‘a
fresh, impartial look at the evidence,’ applying ‘neither a presumption of inno-
cence nor a presumption of guilt’ to ‘make [our] own independent determina-
tion as to whether the evidence constitutes proof of each required element be-
yond a reasonable doubt.’” United States v. Wheeler, 76 M.J. 564, 568 (A.F. Ct.
Crim. App. 2017) (quoting Washington, 57 M.J. at 399), aff’d, 77 M.J. 289(C.A.A.F. 2018).
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
Appellant’s conviction for rape required the Government to prove: (1) that
at or near Sheppard AFB, Texas, on or about 25 August 2000, Appellant com-
mitted an act of sexual intercourse on HA; and (2) that Appellant committed
the act of sexual intercourse by force and without consent. See Manual for
Courts-Martial, United States (2000 ed.), pt. IV, ¶ 45.b.(1).
2. Analysis
a. The Government’s Case
The Government introduced convincing evidence of Appellant’s guilt. Most
significantly, HA’s testimony described how Appellant committed an act of sex-
ual intercourse upon her by penetrating her vagina with his penis, by force and
without her consent, in his residence on Sheppard AFB on 25 August 2000. At
trial, HA was unequivocal in identifying Appellant as the perpetrator. HA ad-
mitted that her initial claim of being sexually assaulted by a stranger was fab-
ricated, but the Government mitigated the impact of these false statements on
HA’s credibility through her testimony and that of other witnesses. The Gov-
ernment was able to convey that in 2000, HA only reluctantly reported being
sexually assaulted at all, and made the false report due to a combination of
feeling pressured by law enforcement, being afraid of what Appellant might
do, and not wanting to harm Appellant’s family. The Government also intro-
duced evidence that support for victims of sexual assault in the form of re-
stricted reporting, SARCs, victim advocates, and special victims’ counsel did
not exist in the Air Force in 2000. The Government was also able to explain
through the testimony of Dr. SZ, an expert in clinical psychology and neuro-
psychology, that there was no evidence the TBI HA suffered in 2006 would
have affected her memory of events in August 2000.
The Government powerfully reinforced HA’s testimony with the testimony
of KH, the SANE who examined HA on 28 August 2000, and with photographs
depicting HA’s injuries. These injuries significantly corroborated HA’s testi-
mony that she had been physically subdued and sexually penetrated without
her consent. Notably, KH testified that of an estimated 200 SAFEs she per-
formed as a SANE, HA was the only patient she had seen with injuries signif-
icant enough to warrant sending her to an emergency room after the exam.
In addition, HA’s testimony in conjunction with other evidence indicated
she accurately recalled certain details from the events of 25 August 2000. For
example, HA recalled one of the instructors at the club indicated his wife was
pregnant; testimony established that, in fact, one of the instructors did have a
pregnant wife at that time. HA correctly remembered that Appellant’s house
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
was in a section of housing the name of which began with a “W,”8 on a curved
road, close to a school. Most significantly, she recalled and described for inves-
tigators the family portrait, Prosecution Exhibit 3, hanging on the living room
wall above Appellant’s sofa, a memory corroborated by another, later photo-
graph taken in Appellant’s residence. There is little credible explanation for
HA’s knowledge of the portrait and its location in Appellant’s house other than
that HA had been there, as she testified.
Furthermore, the Government was able to demonstrate both Appellant and
CC testified falsely under oath that Prosecution Exhibit 3 had never hung on
the wall of their house at Sheppard AFB. The Government thereby specifically
demonstrated their unreliability as witnesses and, in addition, provided evi-
dence of Appellant’s consciousness of guilt.
b. Defense Arguments
Appellant raises a number of arguments as to why we should not be con-
vinced of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We address the most significant
of them below.
Appellant contends his testimony denying he committed the offense is,
standing alone, sufficient to create reasonable doubt. We disagree. Beyond his
obvious bias as a witness, his credibility was severely damaged by his demon-
strably false testimony regarding a critical piece of evidence—his adamant as-
sertion that Prosecution Exhibit 3 was never placed on the wall of his living
room.
Appellant notes that HA lied to medical providers and law enforcement
when she initially provided a detailed description of the sexual assault in Au-
gust 2000. This is a fair point. However, as described above, at trial the Gov-
ernment introduced evidence to persuasively explain why HA felt pressured to
provide some explanation but did not want to reveal the truth at that point in
time. The Government also introduced evidence of subsequent pretrial state-
ments HA made that were consistent with her trial testimony. This included
the testimony of Dr. AF, the former Air Force psychologist to whom HA made
a restricted report in 2011 that she had been physically and sexually assaulted
by an instructor; the testimony of the SARC to whom HA also made a restricted
report in 2011 that she had been raped at Sheppard AFB by an active duty Air
Force member; a stipulation of expected testimony from LW (formerly Capt
LW) that HA told her in 2014 that Appellant had raped her in 2000; and evi-
dence HA identified Appellant as the perpetrator to AFOSI in 2015.
8 This housing area was demolished a few years later and no longer existed when HA
made her restricted reports in 2011 and the unrestricted report in 2014.
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
Appellant contends the TBI HA suffered in 2006 likely affected the accu-
racy of her memories of 2000. After carefully reviewing the testimony of both
Dr. SZ, the Government’s expert witness in clinical psychology and neuropsy-
chology, and Dr. MZ, the psychologist called by the Defense, we find the evi-
dence does not substantially support Appellant’s argument. There was little
evidence that HA’s injury would have impaired her memory of events from
2000. Moreover, Dr. MZ’s own testimony suggested that individuals are more
likely to retain accurate long-term memories of information they perceive to be
important at the time they sense it—experiencing a violent physical and sexual
assault inflicted by one’s military superior would seem to meet that criteria.
Appellant points to evidence that HA provided the AFOSI with apparently
inaccurate information from her memory of Appellant’s residence that conflicts
with other evidence. For example, HA inaccurately described Appellant’s resi-
dence as having a driveway and garage, and remembered a window being in a
different place. However, in contrast to the physical and sexual assault Appel-
lant inflicted on HA, these details were not the focus of HA’s attention as she
tried to get Appellant to his front door. Any discrepancies in HA’s memory in
this regard pale in comparison with HA’s detailed description of the violent
assault, her knowledge of the portrait on Appellant’s wall, and other evidence
of Appellant’s guilt.
Appellant contends HA had a motive to fabricate a claim of sexual assault
perpetrated by Appellant in order to obtain a medical military retirement. He
notes that although HA testified she had a 100 percent disability rating and
medical benefits from the VA, she was not entitled to receive counseling in her
local area through military-sponsored insurance after she moved to Florida.
After the BCMR denied her effort to change this, it appeared that she would
need to substantiate her claim of having been raped in 2000. However, from
the date of the offense through her conversation in 2014 seeking advice from
then-Capt LW, HA consistently indicated she did not desire to initiate an in-
vestigation or prosecution of Appellant. In 2011, while she was still on active
duty at Malmstrom AFB, she provided restricted reports to the effect that she
had been raped by an instructor at Sheppard AFB. In light of the totality of
the evidence, we find Appellant’s argument unpersuasive.
c. Conclusion with Regard to Factual Sufficiency
Having weighed the evidence in the record of trial and having made allow-
ances for not having personally observed the witnesses, we are convinced of
Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
B. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
1. Additional Background9
During the AFOSI investigation following HA’s unrestricted report in 2014,
agents explored the possibility that HA had misidentified Appellant and that
the actual perpetrator was DB, another of HA’s radiology instructors at Shep-
pard AFB. Agents interviewed DB’s ex-wife, MC, to whom he was married in
August 2000. At that time DB and MC lived together with their two children
on Sheppard AFB in a different area of base housing from Appellant. MC in-
formed the AFOSI she remembered returning home from a trip in late summer
or early fall of 2000 and finding unexplained scuff marks on the floor, damage
to rubber stripping on the interior stairs, and that DB was unexpectedly mop-
ping the floors. MC also described finding an unexplained hole in an interior
wall of the house. However, DB denied committing the offense, and HA specif-
ically denied DB was the perpetrator.
Nevertheless, Appellant’s trial defense counsel, Mr. PC and then-Capt JA,
thought MC’s information was potentially useful to suggest DB as an alterna-
tive suspect. The Government agreed to produce MC for Appellant’s trial at the
Defense’s request. However, in pretrial interviews with both the Government
and Defense, MC stated she had been mistaken about the year in which the
events she described to AFOSI had taken place. She now believed they oc-
curred in 2001 rather than 2000. Although trial defense counsel considered
MC’s changing memory might affect the credibility of her testimony, they still
considered potentially calling MC as a witness.
Trial defense counsel’s assessment of the utility of MC’s testimony dimin-
ished over the course of the trial. After HA firmly identified Appellant as the
perpetrator, and after Appellant and his wife CC were both effectively im-
peached by trial counsel, Mr. PC and Capt JA were concerned calling MC might
appear to be a desperate tactic the Government could exploit to Appellant’s
disadvantage. In the middle of the Defense’s case, MC informed trial defense
counsel that after speaking with her mother again she now believed the events
she described to AFOSI had occurred in 2000 after all. Even with this infor-
mation, trial defense counsel elected not to call MC as a witness.
2. Law
The Sixth Amendment guarantees an accused the right to effective assis-
tance of counsel. United States v. Gilley, 56 M.J. 113, 124 (C.A.A.F. 2001). In
assessing the effectiveness of counsel, we apply the standard in Strickland v.
9 The following background is based in part on sworn declarations provided by Appel-
lant’s trial defense counsel, Mr. PC and then-Capt JA, in March 2018 pursuant to an
order from this court.
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United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984), and begin with the presumption of com-
petence announced in United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 658 (1984). See
Gilley, 56 M.J. at 124 (citation omitted). We will not second-guess reasonable
strategic or tactical decisions by trial defense counsel. United States v. Mazza,
67 M.J. 470, 475 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citation omitted). We review allegations of
ineffective assistance de novo. United States v. Gooch, 69 M.J. 353, 362
(C.A.A.F. 2011) (citing Mazza, 67 M.J. at 474).
We utilize the following three-part test to determine whether the presump-
tion of competence has been overcome: (1) are appellant’s allegations true, and
if so, “is there a reasonable explanation for counsel’s actions;” (2) if the allega-
tions are true, did defense counsel’s level of advocacy “fall measurably below
the performance . . . [ordinarily expected] of fallible lawyers;” and (3) if defense
counsel was ineffective, is there “a reasonable probability that, absent the er-
rors,” there would have been a different result? Id. (alterations in original)
(quoting United States v. Polk, 32 M.J. 150, 153 (C.M.A. 1991)).
The burden is on the appellant to demonstrate both deficient performance
and prejudice. United States v. Datavs, 71 M.J. 420, 424 (C.A.A.F. 2012) (cita-
tion omitted). “[C]ourts ‘must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s con-
duct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.’” Id.(quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689). With respect to prejudice, a “reasonable
probability” of a different result is “a probability sufficient to undermine confi-
dence in the outcome” of the trial. Id. (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends trial defense counsel were ineffective for failing to call
MC to testify and provide evidence DB was a possible alternative suspect. In
addition to the suspicious changes in her home that MC (sometimes) recalled
had occurred in August or September 2000, Appellant contends HA’s descrip-
tions of Appellant’s residence in some ways resembled DB’s home more than
Appellant’s. In addition, HA’s description of the fictional individual she ini-
tially claimed assaulted her in a parking lot—a dark-haired man, possibly of
Hispanic or Italian descent, of medium build—was somewhat similar to DB,
who was of Hispanic descent. In addition, AFOSI obtained evidence that DB
had some history of inappropriate although consensual relationships with stu-
dents, and MC alleged DB had been abusive toward her.
However, we are not persuaded trial defense counsel’s performance fell
measurably below the expected level of performance. Mr. PC and Capt JA pro-
vide several reasonable explanations for their tactical decision not to call MC.
Among other considerations, MC’s changing memory regarding the relevant
dates, of which the Government was well aware, impaired her credibility. HA
definitely identified Appellant as the perpetrator and specifically denied it was
12
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
DB. HA’s description of the family portrait was similar to, and she specifically
identified it as, the family portrait found in Appellant’s house. HA’s description
of the family matched Appellant’s family but did not match the family of DB
and MC, who had two sons rather than a girl and an infant boy. Moreover, MC
indicated she and DB did not even own a family portrait similar to the one HA
described. HA’s description of driving to Appellant’s residence matched the
route she would have taken to Appellant’s house, but not how she would have
driven to DB’s residence. In short, there was compelling evidence incriminat-
ing Appellant and little to no evidence incriminating DB. Trial defense counsel
could reasonably conclude advancing such an unsubstantiated proposition
might cause net harm to the Defense’s case in the eyes of the court members;
they might reasonably seek instead to create doubt as to the reliability of HA’s
memory and testimony regarding long-ago events she previously lied about.
For similar reasons, Appellant fails to demonstrate a reasonable probabil-
ity of a different result. As described above, the Government introduced con-
vincing evidence of Appellant’s guilt. In contrast, there was no substantial ev-
idence tying DB to the offense. MC may have been understandably suspicious
and resentful of her estranged ex-husband DB; however, she could provide no
evidence that DB was responsible for HA’s injuries.
Accordingly, we find Appellant cannot meet his burden to demonstrate he
is entitled to relief for ineffective assistance of counsel.
C. Motion to Suppress
1. Additional Background
On 20 April 2015, AFOSI Special Agent (SA) JD signed a sworn affidavit,
based largely on information provided by HA, in support of an application for
authorization to search Appellant’s residence on Eglin AFB for the family por-
trait HA saw during the offense in August 2000, which ultimately became Pros-
ecution Exhibit 3. Among other information, SA JD’s affidavit stated HA indi-
cated the assault took place on an unspecified date in August 2000. HA de-
scribed the picture as a professional portrait of Appellant’s family including
Appellant, an adult female, a male child, and a female child with long hair. SA
JD attached to her affidavit a stick-figure sketch HA had drawn depicting her
memory of the relative positions and proportions of the figures in the portrait.
SA JD’s affidavit concluded:
In consideration of the foregoing, I believe there is probable
cause that [Appellant] still possesses the family photo described
by [HA]. [Appellant] has been married to his spouse for 17 years,
and based on my investigative experience and training, a person
is likely to keep a professional family photo amongst their per-
sonal belongings, or displayed in their home. . . .
13
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
The same day, 20 April 2015, the military magistrate issued a written au-
thorization to search Appellant’s residence and seize the photo described in the
affidavit. AFOSI agents executed the search and seized three family photos
from Appellant’s house, including Prosecution Exhibit 3. These photos were
subsequently shown to HA who identified Prosecution Exhibit 3 as the portrait
she had seen on Appellant’s living room wall in August 2000.
Before trial, the Defense moved to suppress Prosecution Exhibit 3 and evi-
dence about it on the grounds that, inter alia,10 the information contained in
the affidavit was stale after the passing of more than 14 years, and therefore
probable cause for the search authorization was lacking. The Government op-
posed the motion, contending that “[s]taleness is not judged simply by time,
but also by the nature of the item sought,” and that “professional family por-
traits – particularly those that include young children – are not the type of
item typically discarded by a married couple.” The Government further con-
tended that, assuming probable cause was lacking, the military judge should
still deny the motion because the AFOSI reasonably relied on the search au-
thorization in good faith, and because suppression of the evidence would not
result in appreciable deterrence of future unlawful searches and the benefits
of such deterrence would not outweigh the costs to the justice system.
After conducting a hearing, the military judge denied the motion to sup-
press in an oral ruling she supplemented in writing. Among other considera-
tions, she noted HA had “fixated” on the portrait during the rape; HA was able
to describe the individuals depicted in it, including number, age (adult or
child), sex, and skin color, and to sketch a crude drawing of it. The military
judge further noted there was no evidence HA’s TBI in 2006 had resulted in
any loss of memory from 2000, and despite discrepancies in “minor details,”
HA had provided multiple consistent statements regarding Appellant’s actions
before, during, and after the offense. The military judge further concluded,
[A] professional photograph is the sort of item that would be
saved and would move with a family . . . . [Appellant] has been
married to the same person and [is] still in the military. While
14 years is a long time, it is not an unreasonable duration in the
context of retaining a family photograph. Furthermore, a family
portrait displayed in a home is not of a nature that would compel
a criminal to destroy or hide it; it is not contraband.
10 Appellant does not assert the military judge erred with respect to the additional
basis for the motion to suppress, and we find it unnecessary to address in this opinion.
14
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
The military judge additionally found that “suppression would not result
in any great deterrence of future unlawful searches,” and that the cost of sup-
pression to the justice system would be “high.”
2. Law
We review a military judge’s ruling on a motion to suppress for an abuse of
discretion, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing
party. United States v. Hernandez, 81 M.J. 432, 437 (C.A.A.F. 2021) (citations
omitted). The military judge’s findings of fact are reviewed for clear error, but
her conclusions of law are reviewed de novo. United States v. Keefauver, 74
M.J. 230, 233 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (citation omitted). “[T]he abuse of discretion
standard of review recognizes that a judge has a range of choices and will not
be reversed so long as the decision remains within that range.” United States
v. Gore, 60 M.J. 178, 187 (C.A.A.F. 2004) (citation omitted). “A military judge
abuses his discretion when his findings of fact are clearly erroneous, when he
is incorrect about the applicable law, or when he improperly applies the law.”
United States v. Roberts, 59 M.J. 323, 326 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
“The Fourth Amendment guarantees servicemembers’ right to ‘be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and effects.’” Hernandez, 81 M.J. at 438 (quoting
U.S. CONST. amend. IV). “Consistent with the Fourth Amendment, [Mil. R.
Evid.] 315(f)(1) mandates that all search authorizations must be based on prob-
able cause.” Id. “Probable cause to search exists when there is a reasonable
belief that the . . . property[ ] or evidence sought is located in the place . . . to
be searched.” Mil. R. Evid. 315(f)(2).
“Timeliness informs probable cause.” United States v. Macomber, 67 M.J.
214, 220 (C.A.A.F. 2009) (citing United States v. Lopez, 35 M.J. 35, 38 (C.M.A.
1992)). “Whether too long a period has elapsed from the time the facts are ob-
tained until the search is authorized depends on many factors.” Lopez, 35 M.J.
at 38. Such factors “may include, but are not limited to, the location to be
searched, the type of crime involved, the nature of the articles to be seized, and
how long the crime has been continuing.” Macomber, 67 M.J. at 220 (citing
Lopez, 35 M.J. at 38).
“Reasonable minds frequently may differ on the question whether a partic-
ular affidavit establishes probable cause, and we have thus concluded that the
preference for warrants is most appropriately effectuated by according great
deference to a magistrate’s determination.” United States v. Leon, 468 U.S.
897, 914 (1984) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). “A military
judge reviews a magistrate’s decision to issue a search authorization to deter-
mine whether the magistrate had a substantial basis for concluding that prob-
able cause existed.” United States v. Rogers, 67 M.J. 162, 164–65 (C.A.A.F.
15
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
2009) (citation omitted). “A magistrate has a substantial basis to issue a war-
rant when, based on the totality of the circumstances, a common-sense judg-
ment would lead to the conclusion that there is a fair probability that evidence
of a crime will be found at the identified location.” Id. at 165 (citing Illinois v.
Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238 (1983); United States v. Leedy, 65 M.J. 208, 213
(C.A.A.F. 2007)). “Close calls will be resolved in favor of sustaining the magis-
trate’s decision.” United States v. Monroe, 52 M.J. 326, 331 (C.A.A.F. 2000)
(quoting United States v. Maxwell, 45 M.J. 406, 423 (C.A.A.F. 1996)).
Mil. R. Evid. 311(a) provides:
Evidence obtained as a result of an unlawful search or seizure
made by a person acting in a governmental capacity is inadmis-
sible against the accused if: (1) the accused makes a timely mo-
tion to suppress . . . ; (2) the accused had a reasonable expecta-
tion of privacy in the person, place, or property searched . . . ;
and (3) exclusion of the evidence results in appreciable deter-
rence of future unlawful searches or seizures and the benefits of
such deterrence outweigh the costs to the justice system.
3. Analysis
On appeal, Appellant contends the military judged erred when she found
probable cause existed for the 20 April 2015 search authorization. We disagree.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, we con-
clude the military judge did not abuse her discretion in finding the information
presented to the military magistrate was not “stale” and therefore, by implica-
tion, a substantial basis existed for the military magistrate to find probable
cause for the search. See Rogers, 67 M.J. at 164–65.
We agree with the military judge that there is no bright-line rule for deter-
mining the staleness of probable cause. Timeliness informs probable cause, but
it is only one factor to be considered. In this case, the nature of the article
sought—a professionally created family portrait Appellant had displayed on
his living room wall—was of greater importance. Finding probable cause
“merely requires that a person ‘of reasonable caution’ could believe that the
search may reveal evidence of a crime; ‘it does not demand any showing that
such a belief be correct or more likely true than false.’” Hernandez, 81 M.J. at
438 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting United States v. Bethea, 61
M.J. 184, 187 (C.A.A.F. 2005)). At the time of the search, Appellant and CC
were still married and living together. As the military judge noted, the family
portrait was neither consumable, contraband, nor apparent evidence of a
crime. On the contrary, it was the type of item a family was likely to retain
from move to move over many years. The military magistrate could reasonably
16
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
have believed that the agents were likely to find it when they searched Appel-
lant’s residence in April 2015.
Appellant relies on United States v. Nieto, 76 M.J. 101, 106 (C.A.A.F. 2017),
to argue SA JD’s affidavit was insufficient to supply probable cause. In Nieto,
an Army Criminal Investigation Division agent seeking a search authorization
for a phone and laptop computer cited his experience as an agent as to how
individuals use portable digital media devices and store recordings of sexual
acts. Id. at 105. In finding the search authorization lacked probable cause, the
CAAF stated,
[A] law enforcement officer’s generalized profile about how peo-
ple normally act in certain circumstances does not, standing
alone, provide a substantial basis to find probable cause to
search and seize an item in a particular case; there must be some
additional showing that the accused fit that profile or that the
accused engaged in such conduct.
Id. at 106 (citing Macomber, 67 M.J. at 220). Appellant contends that, as in
Nieto, in the instant case there was no particularized showing that he fit the
profile of how SA JD asserted, based on her “investigative experience and
training,” individuals tended to retain professional family photos.
Appellant’s reliance on Nieto is unpersuasive. Whether probable cause ex-
ists is a multi-factored question, and the CAAF did not purport to hold that
knowledge derived from an agent’s expertise is essential to support such a de-
termination.11 Even if SA JD’s reference to her experience and training is af-
forded little or no weight, the magistrate was free to apply his own experience
and knowledge of the ways of the world to make a “common-sense judgment”
as to whether Prosecution Exhibit 3 was likely to be found in Appellant’s resi-
dence in April 2015. The military judge did not cite SA JD’s experience and
training in her analysis, and we do not rely on it either. For the reasons stated
above, we find the military magistrate had a substantial basis to find probable
cause existed regardless of SA JD’s reference to her own training and experi-
ence.
Assuming arguendo the military magistrate lacked a substantial basis to
find probable cause, we additionally agree with the military judge that sup-
pression of Prosecution Exhibit 3 and derivative evidence was not warranted.
SA JD evidently relied in good faith upon a facially valid search authorization
11 We note the CAAF determination that the agent’s “generalized profile about how
servicemembers ‘normally’ store images” was “of little value” was largely based on its
finding that his assertions were “technologically outdated” in the age of “smart
phones.” Nieto, 76 M.J. at 107.
17
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
issued by a proper authority. Moreover, we find no indication any error was
the result of “recurring or systemic negligence.” Herring v. United States, 555
U.S. 135, 144 (2009). The deterrent value with regard to future unlawful
searches would not outweigh the cost to the justice system by withholding
highly relevant, material evidence from the trier of fact, impairing the truth-
finding function of the court-martial and trust in the reliability of the military
justice system. See R.C.M. 311(a)(3).
D. Remote Testimony
1. Additional Background
During its case-in-chief, the Government presented the testimony of
Dr. AF, the psychologist to whom HA made a restricted sexual assault report
at Malmstrom AFB in 2011, by remote means, specifically via Skype, a com-
mercial videoteleconferencing system. The Defense did not object to this proce-
dure at any point, and the military judge did not make any inquiries or findings
regarding the necessity or propriety of Dr. AF’s testimony by remote means.
Dr. AF testified she had a meeting with HA at the Malmstrom AFB mental
health clinic on 1 April 2011. Although Dr. AF could not recall the details of
what HA said during their meeting, without objection she read from the notes
she had made as past recollection recorded. Dr. AF testified HA told her HA
had been sexually assaulted by an instructor when HA was in the National
Guard between 2000 and 2003.12 HA told Dr. AF she had gone to the emergency
room and been involved in an investigation by the AFOSI. HA brought a pic-
ture of her graduation from the training that showed the black eye she had
received during the assault. Dr. AF told HA that she would be referred to the
SARC; HA told Dr. AF that she understood this, but “she did not want to be
involved.” At one point near the beginning of Dr. AF’s testimony the military
judge commented that the members could not hear Dr. AF, which evidently led
trial counsel to adjust the volume and the bailiff to turn off a fan in the court-
room. At another point the military judge indicated the Skype connection was
temporarily lost, but it was soon restored. The record does not indicate any
gaps in the record of Dr. AF’s testimony.
During her instructions on findings, the military judge advised the court
members, “Dr. [AF] testified via Skype. When evaluating this witness’s overall
testimony you can consider the fact that you were unable to observe this wit-
ness’s demeanor in court.” The Defense did not object to this instruction.
12 Dr. AF’s notes indicated the assault occurred while HA was in training at Lackland
AFB, Texas, rather than Sheppard AFB.
18
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
2. Law
We review a military judge’s exercise of control over court-martial proceed-
ings and the interrogation of witnesses for an abuse of discretion. United States
v. Brown, 72 M.J. 359, 362 (C.A.A.F. 2013) (citations omitted). A party’s failure
to timely assert a right is forfeiture, which we review for plain error. United
States v. Ahern, 76 M.J. 194, 197 (C.A.A.F. 2017) (citing United States v.
Gladue, 67 M.J. 311, 313 (C.A.A.F. 2009)). In a plain error analysis, the appel-
lant “has the burden of demonstrating that: (1) there was error; (2) the error
was plain or obvious; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial right
of the accused.” United States v. Girouard, 70 M.J. 5, 11 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (cita-
tion omitted).
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be
confronted with the witnesses against him.” U.S. CONST. amend. VI. However,
the Constitution does not require “an actual face-to-face encounter at trial in
every instance in which testimony is admitted against a defendant.” Maryland
v. Craig, 497 U.S. 836, 847 (1990). The preference for face-to-face confrontation
“must occasionally give way to considerations of public policy and the necessi-
ties of the case.” Id. at 849 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
“[A] defendant’s right to confront accusatory witnesses may be satisfied absent
a physical, face-to-face confrontation at trial only where denial of such confron-
tation is necessary to further an important public policy and only where the
reliability of the testimony is otherwise assured.” Id. at 850 (citations omitted).
Rule for Courts-Martial 914b(a) provides: “The military judge shall deter-
mine the procedures used to take testimony via remote means. At a minimum,
all parties shall be able to hear each other, those in attendance at the remote
site shall be identified, and the accused shall be permitted private, contempo-
raneous communication with his counsel.” “‘Remote means’ includes, but is not
limited to, testimony by videoteleconference, closed circuit television, tele-
phone, or similar technology.” R.C.M. 914B(b).
3. Analysis
Appellant contends the military judge plainly erred by permitting Dr. AF
to testify by remote means without making findings regarding necessity and
reliability.13 Reviewing for an abuse of discretion, we do not find the military
judge plainly or obviously erred.
13 The Government asserts Appellant waived this issue, pointing to a vague reference
by trial counsel earlier in the proceedings to the existence of a stipulation of expected
testimony of Dr. AF. The Government reasons that when Appellant agreed to such a
stipulation, he abandoned his right to confront Dr. AF. However, no such stipulation
19
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
Under Craig, the Sixth Amendment establishes a preference for face-to-
face testimony, but Appellant’s right to in-person confrontation was not abso-
lute. More to the point, although Appellant had confrontation rights under the
Sixth Amendment, neither the Constitution nor any other law required him to
exercise or enforce those rights. Defendants frequently decline to enforce such
rights when, for example, they agree to stipulations of expected testimony, as
Appellant himself did with regard to two other prosecution witnesses in this
case. See R.C.M. 811. It is true that with respect to a stipulation, R.C.M. 811(c)
requires the military judge to “be satisfied that the parties consent to its ad-
mission.” However, Dr. AF’s remote testimony, which permitted the court
members to see and hear her as she testified, and which enabled cross-exami-
nation and questions by the court members, was much closer to in-court wit-
ness testimony than is the recitation of a stipulation of expected testimony.
R.C.M. 914B(a) places responsibility on the military judge to ensure remote
testimony is given under conditions that allow the participants to hear each
other, that anyone present on Dr. AF’s end was accounted for, and that Appel-
lant could contemporaneously communicate with his counsel. However, R.C.M.
914B(b) does not require the military judge to make any specific findings before
permitting remote testimony.
As the Government notes, in every federal civilian court decision Appellant
cites the defendant objected to the absence of face-to-face confrontation at
trial.14 If Appellant wanted face-to-face confrontation with Dr. AF, the Defense
could have objected to her testifying via Skype. The Defense did not object, and
the military judge did not plainly err by failing to sua sponte question the De-
fense about this decision or make any other specific findings before allowing
the testimony to proceed. Accordingly, no relief is warranted.
III. CONCLUSION
The approved findings and sentence are correct in law and fact, and no er-
ror materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Arti-
cles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c).
was actually introduced, and Dr. AF testified live (albeit remotely) as described above.
Whether the Defense contemplated agreeing to a stipulation at some earlier point in
time is inapposite. We do not find the record supports a conclusion Appellant inten-
tionally relinquished or abandoned a known right to object to Dr. AF testifying by re-
mote means; rather, he simply did not assert it. See Ahern, 76 M.J. at 197.
14 See United States v. Quarterman, 508 F.3d 306, 313 (5th Cir. 2007); United States v.
Yates, 438 F.3d 1307, 1310 (11th Cir. 2006); United States v. Boudreaux, 400 F.3d 548,
552 (8th Cir. 2005); United States v. Gigante, 166 F.3d 75, 79 (2d Cir. 1999).
20
United States v. Collins, No. ACM 39296 (rem)
Accordingly, the findings and sentence are AFFIRMED.
FOR THE COURT
CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court
21