DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS 144TH FIGHTER WING (ACC) (ANG)
FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE CALIFORNIA

 

09 January 2018

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

FROM: 144 
5323 East McKinley Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727

SUBJECT: Second Email from Los Angeles Times

1. At I743L on 07 January 2018 I received an email in my military email box from Ms. Alene
Tchekmedyian (reporter from the Los Angeles Times). In the email, she asks: ?Were you
ordered by anyone other than Garrison or Drake to destroy the evidence??. Just as I stated in
my Memorandum for Record (MFR) dated 04 January 2017, at no time was I ordered.
instructed, or told to destroy any evidence by then-Col Garrison or Col. Drake or anyone else,
for that matter.

2. As I stated in the 04 January 2018 MFR, the evidence had been stored for nearly a year
(several months after the investigation was closed). In discussions with my investigator and
after reviewing the appropriate Air Force Instruction (AFB 1-1 15) about investigations,
evidence holding, and disposition, the investigator and I felt that there was no reason to
continue storing it. I discussed disposing of the evidence with then-Col Garrison and his only
guidance was to consult with the Wing?s Judge Advocate General (then-Lt Col Caryn
Warren) beforehand to ensure we were doing things properly and in accordance with the AF 1.
A memorandum for record (MFR) from the investigating of?cer specifying evidence
destruction and disposal was written on 14 May 2016 and signed by the investigation of?cer.
It was concurred with and signed by myself and Lt Col Warren.

3. If you have any further questions about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at

(559) 454-5125 or DSN 839-5125.
?g 

WM. DA JOHNSTON, Colonel, CA ANG
I44th Mission Support Group Commander