United States v. Carroll

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
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No. ACM 39160
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UNITED STATES
Appellee
v.
Micah J. CARROLL
Technical Sergeant (E-6), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
________________________

Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
Decided 3 April 2018
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Military Judge: Marvin W. Tubbs II (arraignment), Joshua E. Kasten-
berg (motions), Shelly W. Schools (trial).
Approved sentence: Bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 9 months,
and reduction to E-4. Sentence adjudged 4 June 2016 by GCM con-
vened at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
For Appellant: Major Patrick A. Clary, USAF; Frank J. Spinner, Es-
quire.
For Appellee: Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Kubler, USAF; Major Mary
Ellen Payne, USAF; Major Meredith L. Steer, USAF.
Before HARDING, SPERANZA, and HUYGEN, Appellate Military
Judges.
Judge SPERANZA delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Senior
Judge HARDING and Judge HUYGEN joined.
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This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 18.4.
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 United States v. Carroll, No. ACM 39160

SPERANZA, Judge:
Officer members convicted Appellant of committing an indecent act by
wrongfully video-recording, without consent, HM and DM having sexual rela-
tions in violation of Article 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10
U.S.C. § 920. 1 The indecent act conviction was based on the version of Article
120, UCMJ, in effect in 2010. 2 The members sentenced Appellant to a bad-
conduct discharge, confinement for nine months, forfeiture of all pay and al-
lowances, and reduction to E-4. The convening authority did not approve the
adjudged forfeitures, but approved the remainder of the adjudged sentence.
The convening authority also deferred mandatory forfeitures until action and
waived mandatory forfeitures for the benefit of Appellant’s dependents.
On appeal, Appellant claims that (A) the military judge erroneously ap-
plied Military Rule of Evidence (Mil. R. Evid.) 412 “to prevent the defense
from using relevant and material evidence to challenge the indecency of [Ap-
pellant’s] conduct” and (B) his conviction for committing an indecent act is
legally and factually insufficient. We disagree, find no prejudicial error, and
affirm.

I. BACKGROUND
This sordid story started shortly after HM and DM, both military mem-
bers, returned from temporary duty in Guam and sought divorces from their
respective spouses. HM was married to Appellant, while DM was married to
JS. Consequently, HM moved into an apartment with her and Appellant’s
children. Appellant helped HM move and HM allowed Appellant to stay in
the apartment until he was able to find a place for himself. Appellant took
that opportunity to place a camera in HM’s bedroom in order to confirm his
suspicion that HM and DM were having an affair. Appellant surreptitiously
recorded HM and DM having sex on one occasion. During this time, DM
owned a white t-shirt with green long sleeves that he wore to HM’s apart-
ment when he had a sexual encounter with HM in her bedroom.
Appellant’s suspicions seemingly confirmed by the recording, he ap-
proached JS at her workplace and asked JS to describe DM. JS described
DM’s physical appearance. Appellant then asked JS if DM owned a “softball
looking shirt with green sleeves and a white front and back.” JS confirmed

1The members acquitted Appellant of three specifications of indecent exposure and
two specifications of sexual abuse of a child.
2 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.) (MCM), App. 28, at A28–2.

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that DM did own such a shirt. JS finally asked Appellant why he wanted to
know this information. Appellant responded that “he wanted to know if it
was [DM] that was f[***]ing [HM].” JS took Appellant into an empty office to
ask Appellant questions about his accusation. JS asked Appellant “where he
got the idea [DM and HM] were sleeping together.” After hesitating and hav-
ing JS promise she would not tell anybody what he was going to say, Appel-
lant explained that “when he was helping [HM] move out of their house into
her apartment, he hid a video camera in her bedroom and had a video of [DM
and HM] having sex.” Appellant offered to show JS the video. JS declined
Appellant’s offer and, in general terms, told Appellant that what he did was
wrong and that “the only way [JS] would not say anything at that point [was]
if he did truly go and get the camera out as soon as possible.”
Appellant told his current wife, EH, that “he filmed his ex-wife [HM] hav-
ing sex” by “plac[ing] a hidden camera without [HM] knowing.”
No one other than Appellant saw the video and the video was not availa-
ble at trial.

II. DISCUSSION
A. Military Rule of Evidence 412
Prior to trial and after providing the required notice pursuant to Mil. R.
Evid. 412, the Defense moved, in writing, to admit evidence that during the
charged time period HM and DM “were engaged in an extramarital affair
while HM was married to [Appellant] and DM was married to [JS].” The De-
fense asserted that Appellant “taped HM and DM having sex, and told [JS]
about it, as proof of the affair, and not as [an indecent act].” The Government
and both HM’s and DM’s special victims counsel (SVC) opposed this motion.
The parties litigated the motion. HM and DM were heard through their
respective SVCs, as permitted by Mil. R. Evid. 412. During a closed session,
the Defense reiterated its desire “to get into . . . the issue regarding the al-
leged affair between [HM] and [DM].” Appellant’s civilian defense counsel
argued that evidence of the affair was “constitutionally required” because
such evidence provided Appellant a defense to the charged misconduct. Civil-
ian defense counsel explained that the recording was not made “for a sexual
purpose” and no reasonable expectation of privacy exists for an individual
engaged in an extramarital affair while the individual is living with his or
her spouse. According to civilian defense counsel, Appellant was therefore
legally justified, or excused, for recording HM and DM.
The military judge disagreed and ruled against the Defense on the record.
The military judge explained, “indecent acts is a general intent crime, so [Ap-
pellant’s] reasons are not relevant. Thus, the defense will not be permitted to

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argue the conduct was not wrongful because of [HM’s] affair or otherwise ar-
gue the existence of an affair as a defense to [indecent acts].” Nevertheless,
the military judge stated she understood the “defense’s concern about mis-
leading the members about what prompted the accused’s conduct even if it
[did] not give rise to a legal defense.” Accordingly, the military judge permit-
ted the Defense “to introduce evidence through cross-examination of [HM]
that after she returned from Guam and prior to their divorce being finalized,
[Appellant] believed she was having an affair with [DM], and that [Appellant]
confronted her about it multiple times.” The military judge immediately
reemphasized her previous ruling that “the defense [was] not permitted to
ask [HM] to confirm whether she did, in fact, have an affair, as this fact is not
relevant or material to any issue in this case.” The military judge also ad-
vised that if Appellant testified, he would be permitted to explain “that the
reason he hid the video camera in the bedroom was because he believed [HM]
was having an affair.” The military judge clarified that Appellant’s reason or
purpose for making the recording was not relevant to the members’ determi-
nation of whether the conduct was “indecent” or whether a reasonable expec-
tation of privacy existed. The military judge concluded she did not “see how
[the Defense could] argue that [Appellant’s] motivation makes it not indecent
or not wrongful.”
HM testified during findings and confirmed on cross-examination that
Appellant “confronted [her] about his suspicion that [she] had had an affair
with [DM] while [she was] deployed.” Appellant chose not to testify.
The military judge provided her findings instructions to the members
orally and in writing. In pertinent part, she instructed the members as fol-
lows:
[T]he accused is charged with the offense of indecent acts, in
violation of Article 120, UCMJ. In order to find the accused
guilty of this offense, you must be convinced by legal and com-
petent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt: that (1), . . . the ac-
cused engaged in certain wrongful conduct, to wit: video record-
ing [HM] and [DM] having sexual relations without their con-
sent; and, (2), that the conduct was indecent.
“Indecent conduct” means that form of immorality relating to
sexual impurity which is grossly vulgar, obscene, and repug-
nant to common propriety, and tends to excite sexual desire or
deprave morals with respect to sexual relations. Indecent con-
duct includes, but is not limited to, observing, or making a vid-
eotape, photograph, motion picture, print, negative, slide, or
other mechanically, electronically, or chemically reproduced
visual material, without another person’s consent, and contrary

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to that person’s reasonable expectation of privacy, of (a), that
other person’s genitalia, anus, or buttocks, or if the other per-
son is female, that person’s areola or nipple, or (b), that the
other person – that other person while that other person is en-
gaged in a sexual act.
...
“Wrongful” means without legal justification or lawful excuse.
...
Evidence has been introduced that, prior to the offense
charged . . . the accused believed [HM] was engaged in an ex-
tra-marital affair with her now-husband, [DM]. This evidence
may be considered by you for the limited purposes of under-
standing what may have prompted the accused’s conduct or in
making credibility determinations. However, any such suspi-
cion by the accused does not constitute a legal defense to the
conduct charged. That said, the Government has the burden of
proving each element of each offense beyond a reasonable
doubt.
The members convicted Appellant of committing the indecent act as
charged and acquitted Appellant of several other charges and specifications.
At sentencing, Appellant proffered an unsworn statement that included his
thoughts about the proceedings for custody of his and HM’s children, HM’s
and DM’s testimonies during closed proceedings of the court-martial, and the
lack of disciplinary action against HM and DM. The Government, along with
both HM’s and DM’s SVCs, objected to this information being provided to the
members for their consideration in reaching an appropriate sentence. The
military judge agreed with the Government and SVCs and required Appel-
lant to edit his unsworn statement to exclude the objectionable information.
The military judge relied, in part, upon Mil. R. Evid. 412 to limit Appellant’s
unsworn statement, finding that the proffered matters were not proper ex-
tenuation and mitigation. Nevertheless, the military judge permitted Appel-
lant, in his unsworn statement, to explain HM’s and DM’s “affair;” the sus-
pected affair’s impact on Appellant and his actions; the impact (or lack there-
of) of the recording and HM’s alleged infidelity on Appellant’s divorce pro-
ceedings with HM; and, Appellant’s assertion that his recording had “proven
the affair,” but “resulted in [his] conviction.”
Appellant now claims the military judge abused her discretion by improp-
erly applying Mil. R. Evid. 412, thus denying Appellant “the ability to fully
defend himself” and “fully exercise his right to an unsworn statement.” Ap-
pellant first contends that evidence HM and DM may have, in fact, commit-

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ted adultery in violation of Article 134, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 934, does not fall
within the reach of Mil. R. Evid. 412. Appellant also argues that the military
judge’s decision to exclude evidence of adultery “prohibited [Appellant] from
making the straightforward argument that a husband’s attempt to uncover
the infidelity of his spouse, a crime under military law, is not the kind of sex-
ually depraved act contemplated by [the] definition [of indecent conduct].”
Appellant explains that the military judge effectively “took the question of
indecency out of the panel’s hands.” Finally, Appellant maintains the military
judge improperly abridged his broad right to allocution at sentencing when
the judge limited his unsworn statement. We disagree with each of Appel-
lant’s assertions.
“We review a military judge’s decision to admit or exclude evidence for an
abuse of discretion.” United States v. Erickson, 76 M.J. 231, 234 (C.A.A.F.
2017) (citing United States v. Olson, 74 M.J. 132, 134 (C.A.A.F. 2015)). “A
military judge abuses his discretion if his findings of fact are clearly errone-
ous or his conclusions of law are incorrect.” Id. (internal quotation marks and
citations omitted) (quoting Olson, 74 M.J. at 134); see also United States v.
Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. 314, 317 (C.A.A.F. 2011) (citation omitted) (“Findings of
fact are reviewed under a clearly erroneous standard and conclusions of law
are reviewed de novo.”). The application of Mil. R. Evid. 412 to proffered evi-
dence is a legal issue that appellate courts review de novo. United States v.
Roberts, 69 M.J. 23, 27 (C.A.A.F. 2010).
Mil. R. Evid. 412 provides that evidence offered by the accused to show
that any alleged victim engaged in other sexual behavior or to prove any al-
leged victim’s sexual predisposition is generally inadmissible. Mil. R. Evid.
412(a). For purposes of the rule, “sexual behavior” means “any sexual behav-
ior not encompassed by the alleged offense.” Mil. R. Evid. 412(d). “Sexual
predisposition” by comparison “refers to an alleged victim’s mode of dress,
speech, or lifestyle that does not directly refer to sexual activities or thoughts
but that may have a sexual connotation for the factfinder.” Id.
The exclusionary reach of Mil. R. Evid. 412 is subject to three limited ex-
ceptions. The third exception—and the only one potentially applicable to Ap-
pellant’s case—provides that the evidence is admissible if its exclusion
“would violate the constitutional rights of the accused.” Mil. R. Evid.
412(b)(1)(C). This exception includes an accused’s Sixth Amendment right to
confront witnesses against him, including the right to cross-examine and im-
peach those witnesses. Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. at 318 (citations omitted). The
burden is on the defense to overcome Mil. R. Evid. 412’s general rule of exclu-
sion by demonstrating an exception applies. United States v. Carter, 47 M.J.
395, 396 (C.A.A.F. 1998) (quoting United States v. Moulton, 47 M.J. 227, 228
(C.A.A.F. 1997)).

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Generally, evidence of an alleged victim’s sexual behavior or sexual pre-
disposition is constitutionally required and “must be admitted within the
ambit of [Mil. R. Evid.] 412(b)(1)(C) when [it] is relevant, material, and the
probative value of the evidence outweighs the dangers of unfair prejudice.”
Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. at 318; see also Roberts, 69 M.J. at 27. Relevant evidence
is evidence that has any tendency to make the existence of any fact of conse-
quence to determining the case more probable or less probable than it would
be without the evidence. Mil. R. Evid. 401. Materiality “is a multi-factored
test looking at the importance of the issue for which the evidence was offered
in relation to the other issues in th[e] case; the extent to which the issue is in
dispute; and the nature of the other evidence in the case pertaining to th[at]
issue.” Ellerbrock, 70 M.J. at 318 (alteration in original) (internal quotation
marks and citations omitted). The dangers of unfair prejudice to be consid-
ered “include concerns about ‘harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues,
the witness’ safety, or interrogation that is repetitive or only marginally rele-
vant.’” Id. (quoting Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 679 (1986)).
At the time of Appellant’s charged misconduct, Article 120, UCMJ, pro-
vided that “[a]ny person . . . who engages in indecent conduct is guilty of an
indecent act and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.” MCM,
App. 28, at A28–2. The UCMJ defined “indecent conduct” as follows:
[T]hat form of immorality relating to sexual impurity that is
grossly vulgar, obscene, and repugnant to common propriety,
and tends to excite sexual desire or deprave morals with re-
spect to sexual relations. Indecent conduct includes observing,
or making a videotape, photograph, motion picture, print, neg-
ative, slide, or other mechanically, electronically, or chemically
reproduced visual material, without another person’s consent,
and contrary to that other person’s reasonable expectation of
privacy, of— (A) that other person’s genitalia, anus, or but-
tocks, or (if that other person is female) that person’s areola or
nipple; or (B) that other person while that other person is en-
gaged in a sexual act, sodomy . . . or sexual contact.
Id. at A28–4.
Accordingly, the offense of indecent act included two general elements: (a)
That the accused engaged in certain conduct; and (b) That the conduct was
indecent. Id. at A28–9. 3

3All parties, implicitly or explicitly, agreed that Appellant videotaped HM and DM
engaged in a sexual act.

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A “defense” to a charged offense would “include[ ] any special defense
which, although not denying that the accused committed the objective acts
constituting the offense charged, denies, wholly or partially, criminal respon-
sibility for those acts.” Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M) 916(a). “Justification”
is a defense whereby an act “caused or done in the proper performance of a
legal duty is justified and not unlawful.” R.C.M. 916(c).
As an initial matter, we find that the military judge did not abuse her dis-
cretion by applying Mil. R. Evid. 412, to assess the admissibility of the evi-
dence offered by the Defense. Whether HM and DM, in fact, committed adul-
tery and were “adulterers” in this case could be considered evidence of their
sexual predisposition, a lifestyle that would have sexual connotations for the
members. See Mil. R. Evid. 412(d).
We also note that the offense of indecent acts, as charged, is a general in-
tent crime. Appellant’s reasons for recording HM and DM engaged in a sexu-
al act are irrelevant unless they somehow provide Appellant with a special
defense. Here, Appellant’s purported purpose in surreptitiously recording HM
and DM engaged in a sexual act was to catch HM and DM engaged in a sexu-
al act and thus committing adultery. Appellant was not performing any legal
duties in conducting this personal evidence-gathering operation. His stated
purpose, or intent, did not legally justify or excuse Appellant’s conduct. Ac-
cordingly, we agree with the military judge’s finding that Appellant’s actions
were wrongful and Appellant’s reasons for recording HM and DM raised no
defense to the charged indecent act. Furthermore, the military judge did not
err in consequently instructing the members that Appellant’s purpose was
not a defense in this case.
We likewise agree with the military judge that HM and DM held a rea-
sonable expectation of privacy while engaged in a sexual act. This expectation
was not somehow rendered unreasonable by HM’s and DM’s marital status or
the fact that their consensual sexual act, committed in HM’s apartment and
in her bedroom, could constitute adultery. Under the facts and circumstances
in this case, Appellant’s admittedly nonconsensual recording of HM and DM
engaged in a sexual act violated their reasonable expectation of privacy while
so engaged. The military judge did not abuse her discretion in finding that
suspected adulterers maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy while en-
gaged in sexual conduct in the privacy of their own homes and bedrooms and
out of public or any other’s view, and secretly recording that sexual activity
without legal justification or excuse was indecent.
The military judge also correctly recognized that Appellant’s right to
make an unsworn statement is not wholly unrestricted. We find that she did
not abuse her discretion in limiting Appellant’s unsworn statement to ensure
evidence she previously ruled irrelevant (and thus inadmissible) was not im-

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properly revealed to the members under the guise of extenuation and mitiga-
tion. See United States v. Sowell, 62 M.J. 150, 152 (C.A.A.F. 2005) (citations
omitted); see also United States v. Britt, 44 M.J. 731, 734–35 (A.F. Ct. Crim.
App. 1996); United States v. Ezell, 24 M.J. 690, 693 (A.C.M.R. 1987).
For the aforementioned reasons, the offered evidence—not that HM and
DM engaged in a sexual act, but that HM and DM were adulterers—and prof-
fered uses of that evidence are not material in this case. The military judge
did not deny Appellant the ability to “fully defend himself.” Appellant’s pur-
pose in making the recording does not provide him a defense to the charge.
Evidence that HM and DM may have committed adultery does not render
Appellant’s conduct not indecent by somehow diminishing, or altogether elim-
inating, their reasonable expectation of privacy in having sexual relations at
HM’s apartment in HM’s bedroom. Appellant’s right to allocution in an un-
sworn statement at sentencing is not an unfettered or constitutional right
and may be limited by the military judge. The Defense failed to show the evi-
dence was constitutionally required. Nevertheless, the military judge permit-
ted the Defense to present evidence that Appellant suspected HM of commit-
ting adultery. The military judge also allowed the members to consider that
evidence to understand essentially why Appellant made the recording. Addi-
tionally, the members were able to consider Appellant’s suspicions of an ex-
tramarital affair in order to weigh the credibility of HM’s and DM’s testimo-
ny. Furthermore, Appellant’s right to present proper matters in extenuation
and mitigation in an unsworn statement during sentencing proceedings was
not prejudicially restricted. The military judge did not err.
B. Legal and Factual Sufficiency
DM, HM, JS, and EH testified during findings. The Government also in-
troduced DM’s shirt into evidence. DM and HM confirmed that they engaged
in sexual acts at HM’s apartment and in her bedroom. DM confirmed that on
one occasion he wore the white shirt with green sleeves. JS recounted her en-
counter with Appellant and Appellant’s statements and admissions. EH also
provided the members with Appellant’s admissions. No video recording or
camera was produced. 4
Appellant now challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of his convic-
tion. Appellant once again argues that his purpose for recording HM and DM
having sex—to catch the suspected adulterers in the act—provided him a le-
gal defense. He contends that the military judge’s Mil. R. Evid. 412 ruling

4 The Defense did not move to suppress Appellant’s admissions for lack of corrobora-
tion. See Mil. R. Evid. 304(c).

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“made the offense a statutory no intent crime, where no mens rea had to be
established. In other words, all the government had to do was prove the video
was made without consent and the court members had to find [Appellant]
guilty.” Additionally, Appellant claims, without further explanation,
“[r]egardless, the state of the evidence, without any video to establish or con-
firm what was in fact being taped, is legally and factually insufficient to sup-
port the findings of guilty.”
We review issues of legal and factual sufficiency de novo. Article 66(c),
UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866(c); United States v. Washington, 57 M.J. 394, 399
(C.A.A.F. 2002). 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 omitted).
The test for legal sufficiency of the evidence is “whether, considering the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a reasonable factfind-
er could have found all the essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt.”
United States v. Turner, 25 M.J. 324 (C.M.A. 1987) (citing Jackson v. Virginia
443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979)); see also United States v. Humpherys, 57 M.J. 83, 94
(C.A.A.F. 2002) (quoting Turner, 25 M.J. at 324). The “reasonable doubt”
standard does not require that the evidence be free from conflict. United
States v. Lips, 22 M.J. 679, 684 (A.F.C.M.R. 1986) (citation omitted). “[I]n re-
solving questions of legal sufficiency, we are bound to draw every reasonable
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).
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 reasona-
ble doubt.” Turner, 25 M.J. at 325; see also United States v. Reed, 54 M.J. 37,
41 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (quoting Turner, 25 M.J. at 325). In conducting this
unique appellate role, we take “a fresh, impartial look at the evidence,” apply-
ing “neither a presumption of innocence nor a presumption of guilt” to “make
[our] own independent determination as to whether the evidence constitutes
proof of each required element beyond a reasonable doubt.” Washington, 57
M.J. at 399.
Appellant’s argument mistakes a general intent crime for a so-called “no
intent crime.” Here, the Government had to prove that Appellant engaged in
wrongful conduct and that his conduct was indecent. The military judge’s
proper instruction advising the members that Appellant’s reason for making
the recording was not a defense to the charge did not transform the offense
into a “no intent crime.” The elements, definitions, and the military judge’s
limited-use instruction ensured the offense remained what it is—a general
intent crime. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the

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prosecution, a reasonable factfinder could have found that Appellant did ex-
actly what he claimed to have done—wrongfully recorded HM and DM with-
out their consent while they were engaged in a sexual act. Moreover, we are
convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant, as he admitted and as
was supported by the evidence, to include Appellant’s motive for making the
recording, committed the charged indecent act. Appellant’s conviction is le-
gally and factually sufficient.

III. CONCLUSION
The findings of guilt and the sentence are correct in law and fact and no
error materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred.
Articles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the
findings and sentence are AFFIRMED. 5

FOR THE COURT

CAROL K. JOYCE
Clerk of the Court

5 A charge and several specifications were withdrawn and dismissed after arraign-
ment. Appellant did not enter pleas to these offenses. The remaining charges and
specifications were renumbered; however, the court-martial order (CMO) and report
of result of trial do not reflect the renumbering. Accordingly, we order a corrected
CMO and report of result of trial to remedy this administrative error.

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