When “Knowing Possession” Becomes the Decisive Issue: ACCA Sets Aside Guilty Plea in United States v. Douangdara

We at Cave & Freeburg read every new military appellate decision when it comes out. We do that to stay current, identify potential issues that might help you, and evaluate how each opinion can strengthen your case. Our goal is to use our experience and understanding of military law to help you decide whether we are the right firm to defend you.

The Army Court of Criminal Appeals’ recent memorandum opinion in United States v. Douangdara offers an important reminder of what a guilty plea must establish—and how a seemingly simple admission can unravel when a military judge fails to probe the essential elements of an offense. The case demonstrates that even when an accused is willing to plead guilty, the government must still prove that the accused’s conduct met the legal definition of the charged offense. When that factual basis is missing, appellate courts will intervene.

Summary and Analysis of United States v. Adams (C.A.A.F. 2025)

Per curiam; writ-appeal petition dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

I. Procedural Posture and Case Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court denied his petition in March. See, e.g., Lauren Keenan, ​Hegseth seeks death penalty for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. SAN, 24 September 2025.

A. Sec. Hegseth is not seeking the death penalty; that’s been adjudged and affirmed, but he is seeking approval so an execution can be scheduled and proceed. Under the old Article 71(a), the President had to approve proceeding with the execution personally. Hasan’s execution may be some years off.

In 1987-88, Gray was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. (He had already pled guilty to the crimes in state court where he was adjudged 8 life sentences.) On 28 July 2008, then President George W. Bush approved the execution under the old Article 71(a), the execution was scheduled for December 2008. However, that execution is still delayed, so here we are 35+ years after the court-martial. There are others in the pipeline–Hennis (United States v. Hennis, 79 M.J. 370 (C.A.A.F. 2020) cert. denied, Hennis v. United States, No. 20-301, 2021 U.S. LEXIS 193 (U.S. Jan. 11, 2021);  Akbar (United States v. Akbar, 74 M.J. 364 (C.A.A.F. 2015) cert. denied, Akbar v. United States, 137 S. Ct. 41, 196 L. Ed. 2d 27, 2016 U.S. LEXIS 5191 (U.S., Oct. 3, 2016); but Gray remains the closest to a lethal injection at the moment. Like Bennett, Gray seems to have significant mental health issues.

Informational Note for DoD Personnel: “Pentagon will now drug-test for psychedelic mushrooms”

What’s new—key points from  Task & Purpose article

• DoD is adding psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) to its drug-testing panels. An August 18 memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness directs the change, effective October 1, 2025. Task & Purpose first reported the update and quoted the memo’s rationale: adapting detection and deterrence to “new and emerging drug threats.” Task & PurposeMarijuana Moment

Info Note for U.S. Military Personnel in Europe

Topic: Bicycling while intoxicated (BUI) overseas—what an Army Lawyer article means for you

Bottom line (read this first)

United States v. Mendoza, No. 23‑0210 (C.A.A.F. Oct. 7, 2024), along with a review of the historical evolution of Article 120, UCMJ.

The Air Force is now challenging four decisions of the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals (AFCCA) before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) because they disagree with AFCCA setting aside Article 120, UCMJ, convictions based on the Mendoza case.

We at Cave & Freeburg, LLP, represent one of the four.

A recent case from the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) highlights the ongoing problem of third-party consent to search of you property. For example, your wife consents.

United States v. Brinkman‑Coronel, Docket No. 24‑0159 (C.A.A.F. May 28, 2025) U.S. Courts – Armed Forces+1Justia Law+1, with historical context on recusal and consent-search doctrine in courts-martial.

1. 🧑‍⚖️ Case Summary

If you are convicted of certain offenses or a sentenced to a dishonorable discharge, you may lose your right to own, possess, use, and buy a firearm. Your military defense lawyer can tell about the effects of those convictions under the UCMJ.

United States v. Johnson, No. 24‑0004 (C.A.A.F. 2025), along with broader context on 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) firearm prohibitions in courts-martial:

📘 Case Summary: United States v. Johnson

United States v. Thomas, Docket No. 24‑0147 (C.A.A.F. June 2025). Batson challenges are relatively rare in courts-martial, and that’s something your military defense counsel should know about. Thomas is a recent example of how such a challenge should be conducted and evaluated.

The history of Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986), in courts-martial reflects the adaptation and development of equal protection principles within the military justice system, particularly as applied to peremptory challenges during member (jury) selection. Below is a structured and detailed history, tracing its introduction, doctrinal development, and modern application in military courts.

I. 🧾 Batson v. Kentucky (1986): Civilian Origin