A first class petty officer assigned to a San Diego-based ship will serve 17 years at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, for child rape, Times of San Diego has learned.

Leavenworth federal prison is medium-security U.S. penitentiary in eastern Kansas. Image via bop.gov
Leavenworth federal prison is medium-security U.S. penitentiary in eastern Kansas. Image via bop.gov

Darren Yazzie, assigned to the Navy cruiser USS Princeton, was convicted Jan. 9 in a general court-martial held at the 32nd Street Naval Station in San Diego, according to authorities.

“The rape victim was a female child under the age of 12,” said Navy spokesman Brian O’Rourke, expanding on information released Wednesday in Washington. “The rapes occurred on diverse occasions between July 2010 and April 2011 in Kapolei, Hawaii.”

O’Rourke said Yazzie fled to Arizona and was apprehended there June 5, 2014. He was held at Miramar Brig before his trial before Capt. Bethany “B.L.” Payton-O’Brien, where at least five members sat on the panel of a general court martial, he said.

Yazzie made his home in Arizona — an Indian reservation, according to O’Rourke, who didn’t have information on which one. But a Facebook page under Yazzie’s name said he lived in Lukachukai in Apache County of northeast Arizona. Navajo Nation tribe has jurisdiction there.

A Navy gas turbines system technician, Yazzie also got a dishonorable discharge and forfeited all, said the Office of the Chief of Information.

The Navy held nearly two dozen courts-martial across the country in January, including nine in San Diego. The Navy released these results:

At special courts-martial in San Diego:

  • AWV3 William Naylor, USN pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. On Jan. 6, 2015, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3 and confinement for 89 days.
  • MC1 Joseph Ebalo, USN pleaded guilty to unauthorized absence and wrongful appropriation. On Jan. 15, 2015, the military judge sentenced him to forfeit $1,000 per month for 6 months, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 6 months.
  • An unidentified E-4 was tried for sexual assault. On Jan. 15, 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of not guilty.
  • FC3 Adam Blevins, USN pleaded guilty to wrongful use of a controlled substance. On Jan. 16, 2015, the military judge sentenced him to reduction in rank to paygrade E-3 and confinement for 81 days.
  • EM2 Alex Moralesestrada, USN was tried for desertion. On Jan. 21, 2015, the panel of members returned a verdict of guilty and sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.
  • ABHAA Mitchell Bettes, USN pleaded guilty to unauthorized absence, wrongful use of a controlled substance, and breaking restriction. On Jan. 22, 2015, the military judge sentenced him to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge, reduction in rank to paygrade E-1, and confinement for 125 days.
  • Lt. Tosha Klotzbach, MSC, USN pleaded guilty to false official statement and conduct unbecoming an officer. On Jan. 27, 2015, the military judge sentenced her to a reprimand and a fine of $3,000.