United States v. Veerathanongdech ( 2022 )

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
________________________
No. ACM 40005
________________________
UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Andrew Y. VEERATHANONGDECH
Captain (O-3), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________
Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 12 April 2022
________________________
Military Judge: Andrew R. Norton.
Sentence: Sentence adjudged 25 September 2020 by GCM convened at
Travis Air Force Base, California. Sentence entered by military judge
on 16 October 2020: Dismissal and confinement for 30 days.
For Appellant: Major Alexander A. Navarro, USAF; Captain Alexandra
K. Fleszar, USAF; Mark C. Bruegger, Esquire.
For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Matthew J. Neil, USAF; Major
Cortland T. Bobczynski, USAF; Mary Ellen Payne, Esquire.
Before KEY, ANNEXSTAD, and MEGINLEY, Appellate Military
Judges.
Judge ANNEXSTAD delivered the opinion of the court, in which Senior
Judge KEY joined. Judge MEGINLEY filed a separate opinion dissent-
ing in the result.
________________________
This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 30.4.
________________________
United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
ANNEXSTAD, Judge:
A general court-martial composed of officer members convicted Appellant,
contrary to his pleas, of one specification each of wrongful use of a controlled
substance (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)), solicitation of
others to provide him a controlled substance (Percocet), and obstruction of jus-
tice in violation of Articles 112a and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice
(UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. §§ 912a, 934, Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
(2016 ed.) (MCM).1 The court-martial sentenced Appellant to a dismissal and
30 days of confinement.
On appeal, Appellant raises one issue through his appellate defense coun-
sel: (1) whether the convening authority’s failure to take action on the sentence
warrants a remand for proper post-trial processing. Appellant personally
raises six additional issues pursuant to United States v. Grostefon, 12 M.J. 431(C.M.A. 1982), which we have reworded: (2) whether his conviction for wrong-
ful use of MDMA is legally and factually sufficient; (3) whether his conviction
for obstruction of justice is legally and factually sufficient; (4) whether the mil-
itary judge abused his discretion in denying the Defense’s motion to suppress
evidence derived from the search and seizure of Appellant’s phone; (5) whether
the military judge erred in finding the order given to Appellant to biometrically
unlock his cell phone with his thumbprint was lawful; (6) whether the military
judge erred by allowing a witness to answer a question of law; and (7) whether
the military judge erred by failing to instruct the panel that a unanimous ver-
dict was required to convict Appellant. With respect to issues (4), (6),2 and (7),3
1 Appellant was also acquitted of one specification each of conspiracy, wrongful use of
cocaine, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, and solicitation of others
to provide him with a controlled substance (Adderall) in violation of Articles 81, 112a,
133, and 134, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 881, 912a, 933, 934, Manual for Courts-Martial,
United States (2016 ed.).
2 The record indicates that the witness answered the question in issue at the specific
request of Appellant’s trial defense counsel. We therefore find that Appellant inten-
tionally waived this issue during trial and therefore conclude it is extinguished and
cannot be raised on appeal. See United States v. Gladue, 67 M.J. 311, 313 (C.A.A.F.
2009). We have further considered our discretion to exercise our authority to pierce
Appellant’s waiver to correct a legal error, and we decline to do so. See United States
v. Hardy, 77 M.J. 438, 442−43 (C.A.A.F. 2018); United States v. Chin, 75 M.J. 220,
222−23 (C.A.A.F. 2016) (discussing our ability to correct an error despite an accused’s
waiver).
3 See United States v. Anderson, No. ACM 39969, 2022 CCA LEXIS 181, at *57 (A.F.
Ct. Crim. App. 25 Mar. 2022) (finding unanimous court-martial verdicts not required).
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
we have carefully considered Appellant’s contentions and find they do not re-
quire further discussion or warrant relief. See United States v. Matias, 25 M.J.
356, 361 (C.M.A. 1987).
With respect to issue (1), on 5 October 2020 Appellant submitted his clem-
ency matters wherein he requested the convening authority disapprove his re-
maining period of confinement. In his Decision on Action memorandum, dated
13 October 2020, the convening authority stated that he took “no action” on
Appellant’s case and that “upon completion of the sentence to confinement”
Appellant was “required . . . to take leave pending completion of appellate re-
view.” The military judge signed the entry of judgment and entered the ad-
judged sentence without modification on 16 October 2020. Since all of Appel-
lant’s offenses occurred prior to 1 January 2019, we find the convening author-
ity made a procedural error when he failed to take action on the sentence—
consistent with our superior court’s decision in United States v. Brubaker-Es-
cobar, 81 M.J. 471 (C.A.A.F. 2021) (per curiam). However, after testing the
error for “material prejudice to a substantial right” of Appellant, we determine
that Appellant is not entitled to relief. See United States v. Alexander, 61 M.J.
266, 269 (C.A.A.F. 2005).
We are satisfied based on the facts of this case that the convening authority
did not intend to provide any relief with regards to the confinement portion of
Appellant’s sentence and consequently that the convening authority’s failure
to approve Appellant’s sentence is harmless. We base these conclusions on the
language used by the convening authority in his Decision on Action memoran-
dum, where he placed Appellant on leave “upon completion” of his term of con-
finement. Likewise and consistent with our superior court’s decision in United
States v. Jessie, 79 M.J. 437, 444 (C.A.A.F. 2020), we also considered the post-
trial declaration submitted to this court on 16 February 2022 by the convening
authority’s legal advisor, who provided that the convening authority in “taking
no action” on Appellant’s sentence intended to provide “no relief on the findings
or sentence.” See United States v. Harrington, No. ACM 39825, 2021 CCA
LEXIS 524, at *32 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 14 Oct. 2021) (unpub. op.) (finding no
material prejudice when convening authority’s intent to approve sentence was
declared on appeal), pet. granted, No. 22-0100/AF, 2022 CAAF LEXIS 201(C.A.A.F. 14 Mar. 2022).
These conclusions are also bolstered by the fact that the convening author-
ity did not have the ability to grant clemency with respect to the punitive dis-
charge, and even if we assume the facts most favorable to Appellant, the con-
vening authority’s ability to provide meaningful relief on Appellant’s confine-
ment term was limited—in that Appellant only had approximately one week
of confinement remaining. Finally, we think it is unlikely that the convening
authority would have provided relief from Appellant’s already short sentence
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
to confinement. In testing for prejudice, we have examined the convening au-
thority’s decision on action and find Appellant suffered no material prejudice
to a substantial right.
With respect to issue (5), as discussed further in the background section
below, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) agents ordered Ap-
pellant to biometrically unlock his cell phone by using his thumbprint. Appel-
lant argues that he is entitled to relief based on the theory that the military
judge erred in finding this order was lawful. The record, however, demon-
strates that Appellant did not actually biometrically unlock his cell phone. In-
stead, the agents seized his locked phone and sent it to the Defense Cyber
Crimes Center Cyber Forensics Laboratory (DC3/CFL) where it was subse-
quently unlocked and analyzed. As a result, the question of whether the initial
thumbprint order was lawful is of no moment, because no evidence was ob-
tained as a result of the order. Accordingly, we find no merit to Appellant’s
argument on this point and determine no relief is warranted.
Finding no error that materially prejudiced a substantial right of Appel-
lant, we affirm the findings and sentence.
I. BACKGROUND
On 23 April 2018, AFOSI opened an investigation into Appellant after re-
ceiving and viewing text messages between Appellant and another military
member, Major (Maj) JD, who was a subject of a separate investigation. Those
text messages showed that Appellant requested contact information for Maj
JD’s drug dealer.
Later that day, AFOSI agents brought Appellant into a room for a video
recorded interview. AFOSI agents read Appellant his Article 31, UCMJ, 10
U.S.C. § 831, rights, and Appellant requested counsel. The interview was sub-
sequently terminated. AFOSI agents then informed Appellant that they had
authorization to seize and search Appellant’s cell phone. After some discussion,
Appellant refused to biometrically unlock his phone without a direct order from
his commander. When the agents left the interview room to seek such an order,
Appellant immediately began to aggressively scratch, suck, and rub his
thumbs for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. When agents reentered the room
with Appellant’s commander, Appellant immediately stopped the above-men-
tioned behavior. However, despite Appellant receiving a direct order from his
commander to unlock his phone via thumbprint, AFOSI’s multiple attempts to
have Appellant unlock his phone still failed due to the distortion of his thumb-
print. The agents seized Appellant’s still-locked phone.
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
The agents subsequently sent Appellant’s phone to DC3/CFL where digital
forensic examiners unlocked and analyzed data on Appellant’s phone. Extrac-
tions from the phone identified multiple conversations in reference to the
charged offenses that took place in April 2018 while Appellant was vacationing
with Captain (Capt) DF and Maj TT in Mexico. Specifically, the texts related
to Appellant’s wrongful use of MDMA and solicitation of Percocet.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
Appellant contends that his conviction for wrongfully using MDMA is le-
gally and factually insufficient (issue (2)). Specifically, Appellant contends
there was no direct evidence presented that Appellant used MDMA, and that
the Government misinterpreted Appellant’s “very dark humor” and took his
text messages out of context. Additionally, Appellant contends that his convic-
tion for obstruction of justice was legally and factually insufficient (issue (3)).
Specifically, Appellant alleges that the Government failed to prove that Appel-
lant intended to impede an investigation. We are not persuaded by Appellant’s
arguments and determine that no relief is warranted.
1. Additional Background
At trial, Maj JD was called as a government witness and testified that Ap-
pellant sought the contact information for Maj JD’s “plug” before the Mexico
trip. Subsequent testimony established that “plug” was a slang term for a drug
dealer. A review of the text messages between Appellant and Maj JD showed
that both individuals used “street terms” for drugs, such as “8-ball” and “G”
which was later used as evidence to show that they were both familiar with
drugs and drug transactions. Additionally, in the text messages between Ap-
pellant and Maj JD, Appellant discussed wanting to purchase and consume
drugs.
At trial, the Government presented testimony from Mr. EH, a digital foren-
sic examiner from DC3/CFL. Mr. EH testified that his review of Appellant’s
phone uncovered multiple text message exchanges between Appellant and
other individuals relating to the charged offenses. On 10 April 2018, Appellant
began a group text message with Capt DF and Maj TT by texting, “MEXICO
LEAVE APPROVED.”4,5 The messages also showed Appellant, Capt DF, and
4 Appellant had leave scheduled for 16–20 April 2018 in Mexico.
5 Text message exchanges in this opinion are taken verbatim from evidence in the rec-
ord of trial and introduced at trial and include misspellings and punctuation errors
where not corrected.
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
Maj TT stayed at a resort in Mexico from 14 to 23 April 2018, and they regu-
larly texted each other throughout their stay.
On 14 April 2018, Appellant told Capt DF and Maj TT that he forgot his
Pepcid. Maj TT responded, “It’s OK I’ve got molly.” Based on his experience
with previous criminal investigations, Mr. EH testified that “molly” typically
refers to MDMA. That same night, Appellant discussed using Percocet with
Capt DF and Maj TT while they were in Mexico. The following text exchange
ensued:
[Appellant:] How many percs[6] ya got?? Or how much of every-
thing you got as well and how much per. Don’t wanna tryna do
it all the first couple of days
[Maj TT:] Okay relax[.] Was gonna just gonna take a perc first
chill vibes . . . . I’ve got about 15 perc I think
...
[Appellant:] No[.] Perc[.] Tonight
[Maj TT:] I didn’t count
[Appellant:] ?
...
[Maj TT:] I’m bringing 3 with[.] Okay ill bring 5
...
[Capt DF:] I’m cummin
...
[Maj TT:] Fondo and I took in Nashville, good stuff
[Appellant:] Wtf[.] When[?] Gimme[.] Or lemme get another
perc[.] Pleas and thank you
[Maj TT:] Alright
The next day, Appellant texted Capt DF and Maj TT, “Wanna roll tonight?
After dinna?? Hmmm???” Maj TT responded, “Well never sleep.” Appellant said
“F[.] Small dose[.] Half dose[.] Or whatevs.” Later that night, Maj TT texted
Appellant and Capt DF, “......Perc,” to which Appellant responded, “Yes[.]
Please.” The following day, Appellant texted, “Molly tonight?”
6 Mr. EH testified “percs” is common shorthand for the prescription drug “Percocet.”
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
The next day Appellant texted with Capt DF, Maj TT, along with a newly
added individual identified as “Azn” about “Molly”:
[Maj TT:] I’m about to take Molly
[Appellant:] FINALLY[.] hahaha[.] I’ll bring the pepcid and
speakers . . . . You guys take it already?
[Maj TT:] Nope[.] Waiting for u
[Appellant:] Kk, I’m heading there now and telling mags to meet
me when she’s ready
[Maj TT:] Good[.] Ok[.] Mines slowly creeping in
[Appellant:] MINE HIT ME WALKING TO CHECK ON
MAGS[.] [S]low creep tho[.] It’s getting how ya doin right now[?]
I 100% admire how you guys can do daddy duties while
F[**]KED up on Molly
[Azn:] That just means they haven’t taken enough molly haha jk
[Appellant:] Gaga[.] Same as me and I Mexican screamed in
front of 100 people
[Azn:] V, u have taken enough
[Appellant:] Never enough
Later that night, Maj TT texted the group and said that Appellant “[g]ot
smacked by the Molly” and “[t]ripped d[**]k in front of everyone.” In response,
Appellant admitted he “WAS F[**]KED UP.” The next morning, Appellant said
he “still ha[d] no appetite” and was “[f]orcing food down.” He also said, “I’ve
pooped water twice today, [w]tf was in those pills.”
2. Law
This court reviews issues of legal and factual sufficiency de novo. United
States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399 (C.A.A.F. 2002) (citation omitted). Our
assessment of legal and factual sufficiency is limited to the evidence produced
at trial. United States v. Dykes, 38 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A. 1993) (citations omit-
ted).
“The test for legal sufficiency is whether, after viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United
States v. Robinson, 77 M.J. 294, 297–98 (C.A.A.F. 2018) (quoting United States
v. Rosario, 76 M.J. 114, 117 (C.A.A.F. 2017)). While we must find evidence is
sufficient beyond a reasonable doubt, it “does not mean that the evidence must
be free of conflict.” United States v. Galchick, 52 M.J. 815, 818 (A.F. Ct. Crim.
App. 2000) (citation omitted).
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
“In resolving questions of legal sufficiency, we are bound to draw every rea-
sonable inference from the evidence of record in favor of the prosecution.”
United States v. Barner, 56 M.J. 131, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2001) (citations omitted).
As a result, “[t]he standard for legal sufficiency involves a very low threshold
to sustain a conviction.” United States v. King, 78 M.J. 218, 221 (C.A.A.F. 2019)
(alteration in original) (citation omitted).
“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 ourselves] ‘convinced of the accused’s guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.’” United States v. Reed, 54 M.J. 37, 41 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (quot-
ing United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324, 325 (C.M.A. 1987)). “In conducting
this unique appellate role, we take ‘a fresh, impartial look at the evidence,’
applying ‘neither a presumption of innocence nor a presumption of guilt’ to
‘make [our] own independent determination as to whether the evidence consti-
tutes proof of each required element beyond a reasonable doubt.’” United States
v. Wheeler, 76 M.J. 564, 568 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2017) (alteration in original)
(quoting Washington, 57 M.J. at 399).
3. Analysis
a. Wrongful Use of MDMA
In order for Appellant to be found guilty of wrongful use of a controlled
substance in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ, the Government was required to
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Appellant used a controlled sub-
stance, specifically MDMA, and (2) his use was wrongful. See MCM, pt. IV,
¶ 37.b.(2).
Use “means to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human
body, any controlled substance.” MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 37.c.(10). “Knowledge of the
presence of the controlled substance is a required component of use.” Id.
Knowledge of the presence of the controlled substance may be inferred from
the presence of the substance in the accused’s body or from other circumstan-
tial evidence.” Id. A permissive inference can be sufficient to “satisfy the gov-
ernment’s burden of proof as to knowledge.” Id.
We find the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support Appel-
lant’s conviction. Here, Appellant’s text conversations with Capt DF and Maj
TT showed that Appellant consumed MDMA during his vacation to Mexico. In
particular, the evidence presented at trial established that Appellant was on
leave from 14 to 20 April 2018 and that he was in Mexico with Capt DF and
Maj TT. Appellant’s own leave statement establishes that he was in Mexico
during the charged time period, and Maj JD testified that Appellant was seek-
ing contact information for a drug dealer prior to the trip. Additionally, we find
pertinent and compelling the constant back-and-forth text messaging that took
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
place during the entire trip between the Appellant and Capt DF and Maj TT.
These messages, when read together, sufficiently demonstrate that they were
all in on the illegal drug use together, and Maj JD’s testimony tends to corrob-
orate Appellant’s general interest in obtaining illicit drugs, if not his intent to
use such drugs while in Mexico. The group text messages discussed things like
how much and what drugs they had with them, how they were going to space
out their drug use, how they compared the effects of the drugs, and also pon-
dered how the drugs impacted normal day-to-day functions (e.g., “daddy du-
ties”). We would not expect this type of exchange except in the case of actual
illegal drug use. We also find relevant, as discussed in greater detail below,
that an innocent person would not ordinarily feel the need to obstruct justice,
by attempting to prevent access to these text messages. Therefore, we find am-
ple indicia of reliability in Appellant’s group text messages. See United States
vs. Hansen¸36 M.J. 599, 607 (A.F.C.M.R. 1992) (factoring surrounding circum-
stances of an appellant’s admission to determine whether there was an indicia
of reliability under Mil. R. Evid. 803(24)).
Ultimately, after reviewing the text messages in context, we find they pro-
vide sufficient evidence to support that Appellant consumed MDMA while in
Mexico. Appellant’s own text messages not only discussed the fact that Maj TT
had “Molly,” but also clearly described that Appellant consumed, and shortly
thereafter felt the effects of, the drug, stating, inter alia, “MINE HIT ME
WALKING TO CHECK ON MAGS[.] [S]low creep tho[.] It’s getting how ya
doing right now.” Furthermore, Appellant’s text message the next morning
where he stated “Wtf was in those pills” confirmed that he had in fact been
under the effects of “Molly” the night before.
We are not persuaded by Appellant’s argument that he could have been
under the influence of any number of intoxicants other than “Molly” including
tequila, Adderall, or Percocet, as his argument fails to recognize the fact that
Appellant specifically mentioned “Molly” and taking pills the night prior, and
that the following day his friend, Maj TT, described Appellant as getting
“smacked by the Molly” and “[t]rip[ping] d[**]k in front of everyone.” Presum-
ably, had Appellant not been “smacked by the Molly” he would have denied or
corrected Maj TT in the group chat. Instead, Appellant affirmed Maj TT’s state-
ment by responding with, “Hahaaa, I WAS F[**]KED UP.”
Finally, as to Appellant’s argument concerning the lack of direct evidence
that he consumed MDMA, we find that the Government can meet its burden
of proof with circumstantial evidence. See King, 78 M.J. at 221; see also United
States v. Long, 81 M.J. 362, 368 (C.A.A.F. 2021) (holding that the findings at
trial “may be based on direct or circumstantial evidence”). We also note that
“[c]ircumstantial evidence . . . is intrinsically no different from testimonial ev-
idence.” Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121, 140 (1954). The trier of fact is
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
free “to draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts.” Long,
81 M.J. at 368 (citation omitted).
Accordingly, in assessing the legal sufficiency, we are limited to the evi-
dence produced at trial and are required to consider it in the light most favor-
able to the Government. We conclude that a rational factfinder could have
found beyond a reasonable doubt all of the essential elements of Appellant’s
convicted offense. Furthermore, in assessing factual sufficiency, after weighing
all the evidence in the record of trial and having made allowances for not hav-
ing personally observed the witnesses, we are ourselves convinced of Appel-
lant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, we find Appellant’s convic-
tion for wrongful use of MDMA is legally and factually sufficient.
b. Obstruction of Justice
In order for Appellant to be found guilty of obstruction of justice, in viola-
tion of Article 134, UCMJ, the Government must prove beyond a reasonable
doubt four elements: (1) Appellant did a certain act; (2) Appellant did so in a
case of a certain person against whom Appellant had reason to believe there
were or would be criminal proceedings pending; (3) the act was done with the
intent to influence, impede, or otherwise obstruct the due administration of
justice; and (4) under the circumstances, Appellant’s conduct was to the preju-
dice of good order and discipline in the armed forces. See MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 96.b.
As charged, Specification 3 of Charge IV alleged that, on or about 23 April
2018, Appellant wrongfully endeavored to impede an investigation in his own
case, by sucking and rubbing his thumb to prevent law enforcement officers
from using his thumbprint to unlock his cellular phone, and that said conduct
was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces.
“This offense may be based on conduct that occurred before preferral of
charges.” MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 96.c. “Actual obstruction of justice is not an element
of this offense.” Id. The Manual for Courts-Martial also provides:
“Examples of obstruction of justice include . . . preventing com-
munication of information relating to a violation of any criminal
statute of the United States to a person authorized by a depart-
ment, agency, or armed force of the United States to conduct or
engage in investigations or prosecutions of such offenses; or en-
deavoring to do so.”
MCM, pt. IV, ¶ 96.c.
Appellant contends the Government failed to prove that Appellant had the
specific intent to prevent law enforcement officers from using his thumbprint
to unlock his phone when he sucked and rubbed his thumbs. We disagree with
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
Appellant’s argument and find that the Government presented sufficient cir-
cumstantial evidence to show the requisite intent for obstruction of justice. See
United States v. Finsel, 36 M.J. 441 (C.M.A. 1993) (holding the totality of the
circumstances was sufficient for finding, beyond a reasonable doubt, the req-
uisite intent for an obstruction of justice offense). Here the Government pre-
sented video footage of Appellant’s behavior while at AFOSI. This video showed
Appellant’s conduct both before AFOSI directed him to biometrically unlock
his phone with his thumbs—when he was not rubbing, sucking, or scratching
his thumbs—and Appellant’s conduct after AFOSI agents left the interview
room when Appellant immediately and repeatedly rubbed, sucked, and
scratched his thumbs for 15 to 20 minutes. We find this stark contrast in Ap-
pellant’s behavior is a sufficient basis for a reasonable factfinder to conclude
that Appellant began to rub and suck his thumbs for the sole purpose of pre-
venting AFOSI from getting a clear thumbprint to biometrically unlock the
phone. Importantly, Appellant had a strong motive to prevent access to his
phone, considering the phone contained numerous incriminating text mes-
sages between Appellant and his fellow drug users, and documented his drug-
filled vacation from start to finish.
Appellant also suggests the Government did not prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that Appellant tried to impede AFOSI’s access to his phone by “sucking
and rubbing” his thumb, because trial counsel repeatedly argued that Appel-
lant “scraped” his thumbs. But Appellant’s argument misses the mark for two
reasons. First, trial counsel’s argument is not evidence. See United States v.
Sewell, 76 M.J. 14, 19 (C.A.A.F. 2017). Second, as mentioned above, the video
evidence of Appellant’s behavior while at AFOSI was compelling evidence that
demonstrated Appellant sucked and rubbed his thumbs in furtherance of his
attempt to obstruct justice. The members saw this evidence, and the video is
part of the record which we ourselves have reviewed.
Considering only the evidence produced at trial, in the light most favorable
to the Government, we conclude that a rational factfinder could have found
beyond a reasonable doubt all essential elements for obstruction of justice. Fur-
thermore, after weighing all evidence in the record of trial and having made
allowances for not having personally observed the witnesses, we are ourselves
convinced of Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, we find
Appellant’s conviction for obstruction of justice is both legally and factually
sufficient.
III. CONCLUSION
The findings and sentence as entered are correct in law and fact, and no
error materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Ar-
ticles 59(a) and 66(d), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(d), Manual for Courts-
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United States v. Veerathanongdech, No. ACM 40005
Martial, United States (2019 ed.). Accordingly, the findings and the sentence
are AFFIRMED.
MEGINLEY, Judge (dissenting in the result):
Appellant filed a pretrial motion requesting the military judge instruct the
members that their verdict be unanimous; this motion was denied. For the rea-
sons I articulated in United States v. Westcott, No. ACM 39936, 2022 CCA
LEXIS 156 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 17 Mar. 2022) (Meginley, J., dissenting) (un-
pub. op.), I would find Appellant was denied equal protection under the law
and would set aside the findings without prejudice. Notwithstanding this, I
agree with the majority’s resolution of issues (1)–(6).
FOR THE COURT
CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court
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