CHEYENNE, WY – Two airmen stationed at a Wyoming nuclear weapons base have pleaded guilty to making false statements to investigators about a deadly shooting that prompted the temporary suspension of Sig Sauer M18 pistol use at nuclear facilities nationwide.
Airmen Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez each pleaded guilty this week to making false official statements related to the July 20 death of fellow airman Brayden Lovan, 21, the Air Force announced Friday.
Lovan served with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base outside Cheyenne. Details about his death were released for the first time Friday, more than three months after the incident.
According to Air Force officials, the alleged shooter, Marcus White-Allen, pointed his service weapon at Lovan’s chest in what authorities described as a “joking manner.” The gun discharged, fatally wounding Lovan.
Following the shooting, White-Allen allegedly pressured the two surviving airmen to lie about what happened, according to the Air Force statement. Both Badesha and Rodriguez reported hearing the gun discharge and seeing Lovan on the ground, but failed to provide accurate accounts of the incident.
White-Allen allegedly instructed Badesha to tell investigators, “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off.” He separately told Rodriguez to tell emergency responders that White-Allen’s “holster went off,” according to court documents.
Neither airman initially reported these conversations to investigators, leading authorities to believe at first that White-Allen’s M18 pistol had accidentally discharged on its own.
White-Allen was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making a false statement. However, he was found dead on base on the morning of October 8. Air Force officials have declined to release details surrounding White-Allen’s death, stating the investigation remains ongoing.
Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid has not commented on the circumstances of White-Allen’s death.
Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement and forfeiture of $1,545 in pay. Rodriguez received 10 days in confinement, 15 days restriction to base, and forfeiture of $500. Both airmen also received administrative demotions.
The incident prompted the Air Force Global Strike Command to suspend use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol at all nuclear weapons sites for approximately one month. The ban was lifted in late August after Air Force officials determined the weapon was safe to carry.
Other U.S. military branches continued using the M18 during the suspension period. The incident occurred amid ongoing litigation against Sig Sauer alleging its P320 pistol can discharge without the trigger being pulled.
The New Hampshire-based gunmaker has consistently denied these claims, maintaining that the pistol is safe and attributing reported incidents to user error. Sig Sauer has prevailed in some legal cases.
The investigation into Lovan’s death continues, Air Force officials said.
