Local Airman found not guilty of rape

An Airman here was found not guilty June 16 of raping a local German woman.

Airman 1st Class Michael J. Briestensky, 435th Medical Squadron at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, was charged with violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 120. He was accused of raping the woman in his dorm room at Kapaun Sept. 26, 2004.

The court-martial began June 14 at the Ramstein Law Center. The accused was tried by jury of seven officers and enlisted members. A military judge presided over the proceedings.

If the accused was found guilty, he would have faced a maximum punishment of life in prison without eligibility for parole, a dishonorable discharge, reduction to E-1 and total forfeiture of pay and allowances.

For more information on courts-martial, call the Ramstein judge advocate office at 480-2013.