We have to turn in our phones, something happened, I cant talk about it, Clemons-Etheredge remembers her husband texting her. So they build a median that goes over to the right, on a one-lane road, so that you can goaround them. Struggling in his assigned rating and facing disciplinary action within his command, Caserta left notes for his parents and friends before died by suicide on the flight line on June 25, 2018. Newsletter: Video declaring the easiest job in the world goes viral, Fake TikTok of Boston Dynamics robot fighting racks up millions of views, FTC chair warns AI can turbocharge fraud and discrimination, *First Published: Oct 8, 2020, 11:29 am CDT, How South Carolina became a troubling new hub for QAnon. Facebook gives people the power. At the moment Brandon Caserta was making his final long walk out to the flight line, Patrick Caserta was on the phone with the command master chief, expressing concern for his son's welfare and telling him he planned to fly to Norfolk to take Brandon to base legal and the equal opportunity office to discuss his options. It felt like meeting an old friend, Clemons-Etheredge said. James served in the Army for 6 years. Four years ago, the 21-year-old Navy petty officer third class killed himself on the flight line at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. DETROIT (FOX 2) - An attorney for Brandon Caserta, one of two men who were found not guilty on all charges on Friday in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, says that the leader of the state was never in any danger and that the case presented by the prosecution was clearly not enough for a conviction. Peoria parents hope military mental health act spares others their pain Clostermanns Restaurant & Bar - Tripadvisor The men were arrested in October 2020 amid talk of raising $4,000 for an explosive that could blow up a bridge and stymie police after a kidnapping, according to trial evidence. As you know, weve got a high rate of suicide in the veteran community and active duty. Brandon Casertas bedroom was left as it was except for a few gifts arranged on his bed. But the Navy has had its share of what are considered "toxic leaders," notably even with the service's top enlisted leader, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Stephen Giordano, who retired in 2018 after an investigation found he publicly berated and humiliated his staff and treated aides like servants. The concerns they describe are similar to the stress and readiness issues determined to be a factor in the deadly collisions of the guided missile destroyers Fitzgerald and John S. McCain. ", Caserta continues: "And if you guys are going to give any of these mother f------a chance, any of thesegang, f------criminal a--government thugs that rob people every day;ifyou're even going to give them a second to try to speak or tell their story,don't even f--- me, dude. It sucks that telling the truth will make things bad for [anyone] who speaks up," the sailor wrote. You knowwhen youre driving on a one-lane road, OK and someones in front of you andtheyre turning left up on a street, like a blinking yellow light. Brandon Caserta is mad, not at the governor, but at the police for giving him tickets and taking his money," Caserta's lawyer, Michael Hills, argues in court documents. Croft, Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta are charged with conspiracy . Madeline Bautista expects to graduate in spring 2023 with a bachelors degree in journalism and mass communication. Denitza James also works as a subcommittee chair for LULAC. It was harassment. At one point, according to a military investigative report, a friend took Brandon to the chaplain for help with depression. Holly Graf perhaps the most notorious. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Service members who experience mental health issues would receive care without having to notify their command. Stepping into Brandons old bedroom, it immediately becomes apparent how much he loved to build, from the Lego sets he made with his father to the metal figures the size of ones hand that he built as he got older. He put at least 17 miles a day on his bike and did this for about four years. He deserves to have justice. Teri and Patrick Caserta remember their son as a fun-loving, positive and hardworking kid. A man accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. I never found out what senior chief said, but when he got the news, he called me in and just laughed in my face. Were just two parents trying to make a difference. This bill will allow service members to seek mental health treatment and require a mental health evaluation as soon as a service member self-reports. He was bullied and hazed, retaliated against. Kelly said he doesnt expect a lot of resistance to the Brandon Act. He was then sent to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked under a lead petty officer known to be verbally abusive to sailors. ", In the last weeks of Caserta's life, his parents became so concerned about his welfare that his father called the command, hoping to speak with the command master chief. He whipped around and started following me. He did not provide data regarding the unit's manning requirements or its current staffing. "Its about threats of violence.. Caserta is one of five militia members who were arrested in the fall of 2020 in an FBI sting outside an Ypsilanti warehouse. She has a niece in the Army and nephew in the Marines. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. So, I know the occupational phenomenon that the command can absolutely burn you out, to make you quit. The Caserta couple is now devoting their lives to the passage of the Brandon Act, and say the legislation named after their son will help other servicemembers experiencing a medical crisis requiring psychological care without the fear of retaliation. The investigator found "sufficient evidence to take [the LPO] to captain's mast for violation of UCMJ Article 93, Cruelty and Maltreatment" regarding Caserta. All four were charged with conspiracy, accused by prosecutors of being angry overCOVID-19restrictions imposed by the Democratic governor and seeking to ignite a civil war. This is the first timeClemons-Etheredge has spoken publicly about the issues within the HSC-28 command. The agency is piloting a program in which service members complete an annual wellness check with a trained counselor, and its expanding another effort aimed at reducing stigma and barriers around seeking help. If he wasnt doing sports, he was working out. And in some cases, when folks do reach out, they dont get the necessary positive reaction, on the road to getting help. youtube.com You NEED to Pay Attention to This! So, she reported them. Brandon touched more people than he realizes. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Brandon Caserta, Daniel Harris, Barry Croft and Adam Fox are all facing charges.. And these are the guys who are actually doing it. Hecht said the memorial service was scheduled to allow the maximum number of unit members to attend and that the family was given "advanced notice." In 2019, 348. Neither do his alleged cohorts, who are fighting to keep the jury from hearing those comments, which are part of avideothat prosecutors want to show jurors when the case goes to trial in October. Review. He was always smiling, no matter what, Patrick Caserta said. If a service member mentions the Brandon Act, that would be the safe phrase that would trigger a confidential referral for mental health treatment. But Brandon's father, and other sailors in the command, say the decision was made by a callous leadership cadre interested only in making mission and achieving the next rank. Hills also argues: "Brandon Caserta in these videos is upset and says some negative things regarding police officers that will undoubtedly offend many jurors. But we must be honest about what it really is: the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country. Find out how your news organization can use Cronkite News content. Suicide rates have been increasing among members of the military and veterans alike. He was LARPing," Gibbons said, using an acronym for live action role playing. The proposal would trigger a referral for mental health treatment "as soon as practicable" once a service member mentioned that they needed help under the Brandon Act. Clemons-Etheredge reached out to Teri Caserta last year via Facebook and met her this year before the vigil in Washington D.C. Could GhostEzra take QAnon to an even more disturbing level? Brandon Act to Change DoD Mental Health Policy, Pay Tribute to Fallen He then donned a pair of sunglasses, bringing to life an . "People need help. This was no surprise. ", They are, the directive states, a combination of "self centered attitudes, motivations, and behaviors that have adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, and mission performance.". Reach out at [emailprotected]. View the profiles of people named Brandon Caserta. 2023 FOX Television Stations, issued a statement saying that the trial is normalizing political violence, DPD host walk to raise awareness on National Crime Victims Rights Week, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond was in Allen Park as the Lions introduced their 2023 first round picks, 'No Beef Zone in effect' by Detroit activists in Greektown to keep the peace. After a deployment, she was sexually assaulted, which caused a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Lawyers for Harris and Caserta emphasized that neither man went to Elk Rapids with Croft and Fox to surveil Whitmer's home. A sixth defendant, Ty Garbin of Hartland Township, cut a deal in the case, pleaded guilty and is cooperating against the others. The jury, made up of six men and six women, elected a foreperson last week and began deliberating Monday after two weeks of primarily prosecution testimony. Brandon Sanderson on Building a Fantasy Empire, Wheel of Time Series This law is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies by requiring requiring the Department of Defense to create a process and reduce the stigma a process that also protects confidentiality, said Kelly, a former combat pilot who served in the Navy for 25 years and championed the act after hearing Brandons story. Clemons-Etheredge said her husband, who has served in the Navy for 16 years, doesn't feel like he can speak publicly about the issues within the HSC-28 command because he is still active duty. He's just playing his game. The stalked and surveilled Whitmer in an effort to help violently overthrow the government. Crystal Romero, the LULAC subcommittee chair for military and veterans affairs, said the main goal isto educate the civilian population to understand the problems our service members face on a daily basis.. Fox's attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said Fox was a hapless man living in the basement of a Grand Rapids-area vacuum shop, smoking marijuana whenever possible and totally incapable of leading the wild plot. Its a matter of life and death," Patrick Caserta said. Ron Watkins, of QAnon and 8chan infamy, launches AlienLeaks, Trump hotel purposely spiked prices to keep out QAnon supporters, hacked police data reveals, A strident anti-mask QAnon believer was accused of assaultnow she may win a seat on a local school board. He is particularly interested in hearing any tips you have. And we thank the jury for their service. He always found and saw the good in people. While a single senator cannot prevent confirmations, a hold significantly delays confirmations because the Senate needs to All of these veterans, who used education benefits earned in the military to pay for the training, had signed agreements Copyright 2023 Military.com. But he was forced out of SEAL training in May 2017 after breaking his leg - an injury his parents say was not originally diagnosed and not properly treated. These m----- ------s need to go 100%. The Casertas are thankful that some progress has been made through passage of the Brandon Act, and that they have been able to honor their son with their efforts. Gretchen Whitmersaid he wanted to kill cops"as many of those mother f------ as I can" prosecutors allege, though the defendant doesn't want jurors to hear any ofthat. Find a staff list and description of our beats here. Patrick Caserta recalled the passion Brandon had for building anything with his hands. An investigation found that leadership at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia . Those at risk include people between the ages of 15 to 24 and those over age 60. When he said he wanted to join (the SEALs), I'm not gonna say we weren't happy, but it was just shocking, Patrick Caserta said. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request, His Suicide Note Was a Message to the Navy. Michael Hills represented Caserta in federal court for the kidnappings conspiracy charge. After the acquittal, Hills spoke briefly to the media outside of the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids and said the evidence was never strong enough for a conviction. But the investigating officer then recommended against mast, instead suggesting the aviation electrician's mate 1st class, or AE1, be transferred with a "declining" evaluation. "[The lead petty officer]'s noted belligerence, vulgarity and brash leadership was likely a significant contributing factor in AEAN Caserta's decision to end his own life," the investigation states. And the progress he'd made in earning his professional qualifications as an aviation electrician's mate reset to zero. "But, you know, all too often the military in these cases just interviews the circle of command, not the circle of trust. In some ways, its to honor Brandon, but more importantly, legislation like this is intended to save lives in the United States Military, Kelly saidin an interview with The Arizona Republic. David Covucci is the senior politics and technology editor at the Daily Dot, covering the nexus between Washington and Silicon Valley. Creative Commons. 85 reviews #3 of 21 Restaurants in Niederkassel $$$$ European Contemporary Central European. His new role: electrician's mate for a Navy aircrew. He could not get the help he needed. He was transferred out of HSC-28 two weeks after filing the complaint. It was like they wanted to teach me a lesson. First published on April 8, 2022 / 2:38 PM. Wrapping things up, President Biden assured everyone he could take a joke, but cautioned that Dark Brandon may not be so forgiving. This is the horrible, destructive climate we find ourselves in.. From the very first day he arrived there, Teri Caserta told the audience at the ASU event, they call them a BUD/S dud. BUD/S is shorthand for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. His parents later discovered notes describing hazing and bullying from some members of his squadron. The agency also added suicide prevention to its firearm safety training and says its working with young service members to improve problem-solving and coping skills. Brandon, you will be missed by so many and we are so proud of you. Suicides have risen since then. He basically tasked us with changing the system, Teri said. And that smile right there is always smiling on us. All rights reserved. ", Hecht said that after the lead petty officer's initial counseling, "no concerns meriting his removal from his position were ever brought to the awareness of HSC-28's leadership. The chiefs conducted a search of the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles website and found that Caserta had once held a valid driver's license. Patrick Caserta said the family was excluded out of sheer pettiness. Learn More About Macoy. This year, the Philippines agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands. And my (expletive)was clean bro. The Caserta family, along with politicians and advocacy organizations, coordinated a June 25 vigil in Washington in which they remembered Brandon's life and recommitted to pushing for the Brandon Act. On Wednesday, they urged all Americans to support the Brandon Act -- a "verbal 911" that may prevent similar tragedies. Posted on Oct 8, 2020Updated on Oct 8, 2020, 3:05 pm CDT. A goofy, happy-go-lucky type, Caserta was usually the first to volunteer for "cleaning duty, aircraft wash or field day," squadron mates said. VERDICT: 2 men found not guilty in kidnap plot trial - WXYZ That proposal, named for their only child, is part of the new National Defense Authorization Act. Two of the defendants were acquitted on all charges, while the jury deadlocked on two other defendants, resulting in a mistrial on those counts. While military service was once considered a protective measure against suicide, military suicide rates have risen steadily in the years since 9/11, both among those who have deployed and those who have never deployed. Caserta broke his collarbone while riding his bicycle, threatening his chance to make the move. He teased Caserta as a "BUD/S dud" and once intentionally dropped one of Brandon's care packages in front of him to watch the sailor's reaction. The tirades of Caserta's LPO were well known in the command. Their goal is to "to get all of Congress," as Patrick Caserta put it, to vote for the act. That, and the fact that his dad served in the Navy for 22 years, were major factors in Brandon applying to the Navy SEALs after his senior year at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria. So, yeah, its been almost four years that thats what weve been doing.. And toxic leadership, some experts say, can have a deleterious effect on those considering suicide. Moulton introduced similar legislation last year. Three of the men also faced weapons charges. Military research finds that up to 70% of service members with mental health symptoms do not seek treatment, and 35% have reported that they worry seeking help would negatively impact their careers. Share. DOD 02/11/2019 Age 20 "You hear horror stories of people trying to get help and them unable to do so," Clemons-Etheredge said. They deserve to get it," said Patrick Caserta. Only one defendant,Harris, chose to testify in his own defense, and the four men deny any scheme to get Whitmer at her vacation home. DETROIT (FOX 2) - An attorney for Brandon Caserta, one of two men who were found not guilty on all charges on Friday in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, says that the. They should be put up on a pedestal.. The suicide rate has steadily increased in the armed forces in the past four years: in 2019, the rate was 25.9 per 100,000 active duty members, up from 24.9 per 100,000 in 2018 and 21.9 per 100,000 in 2017. That's exactly what they did to Brandon., After meeting with Patrick and Teri for the first time last year, Romero said she thought, Wow, I went through the same things as him.. No matter what he was doing, he would smile. He was always on the go. An annual DOD report, released in September, showed rates for active duty service members alone went from 20.3 suicides per 100,000 members in 2015 to 28.7 in 2020, with increases across all branches. "And in some cases, people who are ridden hard can't take it. Whitmer conspiracy allegations tied to 'boogaloo' movement - NBC News While the bad leaders weren't wholly responsible for the suicides, they did help push the soldiers over the edge, he said. Indeed, the command investigation concluded that Caserta was "suffering from a number of stressors, including a feeling of worthlessness since he had dropped on request from Special Warfare training and dissatisfaction with the Navy.". He biked everywhere he went. Questions she's heard aboutthe Brandon Act include its vagueness, whether it's absolutely necessary, and whether the person's command should be removed from the process altogether, Romero said. The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around reporting. Gonzalez, who has interned with Donor Network of Arizona and reported for The State Press, is working for the Phoenix news bureau. 'Brandon Act' Named for Sailor Who Died by Suicide Gains New Supporters Unit chiefs were to visit the LPOs shop more frequently, "engage the sailors and attempt to ensure they had a means to convey any concerns if things weren't working out," according to the command investigation. Without support, what followed next broke him. "This short 70-second video that was posted on Facebook says nothing about kidnapping the governor, nothing about any plot to kidnap the governor, because it has nothing whatsoever to do with any conspiracy orplot to kidnap the governor. Suicides have risen since then. Because of the injury, Caserta's orders were canceled and he was sent back to selling candy and snacks for several months. Whitmer kidnap plot suspects face new charges: Weapons of mass destruction. Brandon did not like swimming at all at first but then he learned the breast stroke and that was his favorite stroke. The trial for the four men accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. The Brandon Caserta Foundation - Facebook They also would like to see the Navy implement Brandon Caserta's request in his suicide note regarding the re-rate process: that sailors who don't complete the training for the rate they initially sought be able to select any other training they qualify for with their Armed Services Vocational Battery Test results. When youre in the military, you have this part to play. Brandon Caserta attorney after Whitmer trial acquittal: 'Our governor Bautistas work has been published in The Daily Independent, Glendale Star and the Downtown Devil. When he was in BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) in SD, I asked him what it was like, if he liked it, and the first words out of his mouth were, How can I not like it? L-R: Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Adam Dean Fox, and Daniel Harris. I mean, they locked me out of my office. He had never owned a car, didn't have insurance and, while he had taken a driving course as a teen, had never been on the road by himself. I just remember him being really upset, Clemons-Etheredge said. He never placed judgement on anyone. As tragic as it is, all we can do is use him and his story to save lives, Patrick said. It was the worst year for suicides since the service began tracking them closely after Sept. 11, 2001. The fight at home: Suicide rate is highest among younger military veterans, There is much more work ahead of us, Orvis said, and we will not relent in our efforts to provide the care and support our service members and their families need and deserve., Kelly said the military must find a way to turn the tide: A country with such a strong military we cant continue to fail our service members in this way.. Many want . This story has been shared 597,292 times. After work, her husband retreated to his parents' house. According to the indictment, Caserta wasa member of the Michigan-based militia group, Wolverine Watchmen," whose members were also were affiliated with the Three Percenter group a similar anti-government outfit. In the FBI filing, one of the other men arrested, Adam Fox, reportedly reached out to a militia. The militia was later identified as the Wolverine Watchmen. Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta are being tried in federal court for their roles in an elaborate plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

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