VanBockel Found Guilty, Sentenced to Reduction in Grade and 60 Days Hard Labor

VanBockel found guilty, sentenced to reduction in grade and 60 days hard labor

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Sgt. Andrew J. VanBockel, an infantry noncommissioned officer assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was found guilty of one specification of hazing, three specifications of dereliction of duty and two specifications of maltreatment during a court-martial at Fort Bragg Nov. 20, 2012.

VanBockel was sentenced to reduction to the grade of E4, 60 days hard labor with a 45 day credit and a reprimand.

His four-day trial was in connection with the Oct. 3, 2011, death of Pvt. Danny Chen.

The military judge for the Hurst court-martial was Col. Tara Osborn. The prosecution team consisted of Maj. Joshua Toman, Maj. Stephen Hernandez and Capt. Kyle Meisner, and the defense team was civilian counsel Colby Vokey, and government trial defense members Capt. Scott Cranford and Capt. Wendy Schrank.