United States v. Specialist CHRISTOPHER R. KEARNS

OPINION OF THE COURT

KRAUSS, Judge:

A panel of officers sitting as a general court-martial properly tried appellant in ab-sentia, and convicted him, contrary to his pleas of not guilty properly entered, of false official statement, aggravated sexual assault of a child, transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a)), and disorderly conduct, in violation of Articles 107, 120, and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 907, 920, 934 (2006 & Supp. II 2008) [hereinafter UCMJ]. 1 The convening authority approved the adjudged sentence to a…