WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A military judge today sentenced Col. Christopher B. Meeker, former commander of the 88th Air Base Wing, to 21 days confinement, a reprimand, and forfeiture of $7,000 pay per month for two months.
During a General Court-Martial that commenced and concluded April 15, Meeker pleaded guilty to violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including Article 90, Willfully Disobeying a Superior Commissioned Officer, and Article 134, Fraternization.
As part of a plea agreement, which was revealed during the trial, the government moved to dismiss a referred specification of extramarital sexual conduct.
He was relieved of command on Dec. 29, 2023, by Lt. Gen. Donna D. Shipton, commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
Although Meeker was removed from command for “loss of confidence,” the court-martial charges stemmed from conduct which took place after he was relieved. Air Force prosecutors said Meeker fraternized by engaging in a personal and sexual relationship with a staff sergeant. He also disobeyed Shipton’s direct order to discontinue all electronic and personal contact with the enlisted Airman by continuing the relationship.
Following an investigation, Meeker was charged on October 25, 2024, with violations of three Articles of the UCMJ. The charges were then referred to trial by Maj. Gen. Charles D. Bolton, 18th Air Force Commander, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Shipton transferred the case to Bolton to serve as convening authority, since there was a potential she would be called as a witness to testify during Meeker’s trial. Meeker elected to waive his Article 32 pre-trial hearing.
Meeker elected his case be decided by military judge, rather than a panel of court members, akin to a jury in the civilian courts. Col. Matthew P. Stoffel presided and imposed the sentence.
Stoffel earlier accepted Meeker’s guilty plea following a comprehensive exchange to ensure Meeker fully understood the plea was being made voluntarily, without coercion. By pleading guilty, Meeker permanently waived his right to present evidence and had to explain why he was guilty.
In military courts-martial the sentencing phase immediately follows the findings phase, which determines guilt or innocence. Absent restrictions imposed by terms of the plea agreement, the maximum punishment was dismissal, reprimand, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for seven years.
Meeker said he “willfully disobeyed” the in-person and electronic no-contact order, that it demonstrated a lack of personal and professional discipline, and he acted “selfishly, for my own personal happiness.”
Meeker also acknowledged he was fully aware of military rules and customs prohibiting officers to fraternize with enlisted members, stating “I violated every element,” and he recognized the “negative impact to good order and discipline.”
Meeker is a career Air Force civil engineer. During the span of his 25-year career, Meeker served in numerous assignments from base-level to the Pentagon. He assumed command of the 88th ABW in July 2022.