Naval Station Norfolk, VA: Representative Case Results

Longstanding Norfolk Court-Martial Experience

Cave & Freeburg has a long and established history of successfully trying courts-martial at Naval Station Norfolk. Mr. Philip D. Cave and Mr. Nathan Freeburg have been appearing in Norfolk courtrooms for many years, representing sailors and officers in serious contested cases and returning repeatedly because of their experience and results.

Mr. Cave is a former naval officer with deep professional roots at Norfolk, giving the defense an insider’s understanding of Navy culture, command decision-making, and how cases are actually prosecuted at this installation. That background—combined with decades of civilian trial work—provides a decisive advantage in Norfolk courts-martial.

U.S. v. O-2 United States Navy

Navy officer is raided by the FBI and accused after a joint investigation with the state police and NCIS of the possession and distribution of hundreds of images of child pornography.  Mr. Nathan Freeburg works with the officer through the investigation process to prepare and when charges are preferred fights the government with an aggressive motions practice.  At trial, the prosecution shows the panel of senior Navy officers a highly explicit video of child pornography in an attempt to inflame their passions and convict the client based on emotion.  Mr. Freeburg flips the government’s strategy and computer forensic experts against them and wraps all the evidence together in a closing argument with the result that the panel only deliberates for two hours before acquitting the LTjg of all charges!

Result: Full Acquittal on All Charges. No Federal Conviction, No Sex Offender Registration, No Dishonorable Discharge.

U.S. v. O-4 United States Navy

A Navy Lieutenant Commander is accused of aggravated assaults against family members.  Despite the civilian case being dismissed, the Navy sends the officer to Board of Inquiry (BOI) in an attempt to separate him from the service with than Other than Honorable discharge and strip of him his retirement and benefits.  The officer retains Cave & Freeburg, LLP, and Mr. Cave conducts a thorough investigation of the case and prepares to fight the Navy at the BOI.  At the BOI, Mr. Cave presents the defense evidence of innocence and the Board agrees, retaining the officer.

Result: Officer Retained, No Other than Honorable Discharge, Career Preserved.

U.S. v. E-7 United States Navy

An E-7 was accused in Virginia of oral and vaginal rape, as well as attempted anal rape, and assault with intent to rape, and robbery.  Charges are brought to a general court-martial and Mr. Cave is retained to represent the Sailor.  After Mr. Cave prepares a robust defense, the client is found not guilty of all charges and specifications by a panel of officer and enlisted members. 

Result: Full Acquittal on All Charges. No Sex Offender Registration, No Dishonorable Discharge.

U.S. v. E-6

In December 2017 a Sailor was accused of the rape and sexual assault of two women on the same night. A few months later the client was involuntarily extended on active duty for the investigation although charges were not preferred until April 2019.  Mr. Philip Cave puts on a vigorous defense at the Article 32 hearing with the result that the rape allegations involving one of the women are dismissed. In December 2019–732 days after the alleged events, a court-martial panel found the Sailor not guilty!

Result: Full Acquittal on All Charges, No Federal Conviction, No Sex Offender Registration, No Dishonorable Discharge.

Facing an investigation or charges here?

Early action matters. We can coordinate with military defense counsel, preserve evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome at every stage.

Disclaimer: All cases are different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. We do not promise any particular result.