Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
A Senior Airman assigned to McConnell Air Force Base appeared before a military court hearing on Thursday morning where he faces child sex charges.
Senior Airman Randall Moore appeared for a preliminary hearing in the Military Law Center on McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita as he faced multiple charges that included child sex crimes. It was alleged that these crimes took place over the span of three years from 2021-2023.
It was also alleged that there were three victims involved who were under the age of 18, one identified as a boy. The six charges filed on April 8 were announced as:
-Sexual abuse of a child, Article 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
-Sexual abuse of a child, Article 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
-Obstructing justice, Article 131b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
-Child pornography; possess, receive, view, Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
-Indecent conduct, Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
-Offenses under the Assimilated Crimes Act, Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
During the preliminary hearing, Captain Karl Von Heiland, representing the local government counsel, entered 129 pages into evidence for the case that included Moore’s cell phone records, personal data investigation, communication with civilian witnesses, victim statements and screenshots of photos and text messages sent to the underage victims.
The presiding Preliminary Hearing Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rick Pohlsander hosted and controlled the hearing while Government Counsel Major Stewanna Dasari, appeared through zoom as she is stationed in Kadena, Japan.
During his opening arguments, Capt. Heiland alleged that over the years of 2021-2023, Moore met two of his victims through a local church he shared membership with then later found them online. His relationship with the third minor was online as well, even though they never met in person.
It was described to counsel that Moore offered one victim alcohol and pressured them to drink it. He was also reported to have made sexual advances on a victim identified as a 13 year old boy and told him that he loved him.
Moore was alleged to send nude and photos of himself in his underwear to two of the victims. When the victims came forward about the abuse, it was reported to the church pastor who launched an investigation before reporting to official personnel on McConnell Air Force Base, who launched their own investigation.
Moore’s defense counsel, Captain Michael Koehler, didn’t return an argument. Moore didn’t make any verbal statement during the hearing when offered the chance.
As Lt. Col. Pohlsander read through the required verbiage for the hearing, he said that this was the best-attended hearing he’s ever held on base. Nine other people attended the hearing, including two civilians and seven uniformed Air Force members.
The case will continue to develop as the Military Justice Division determines if the case will go to a court martial as recommended by government counsel.
