Airmen Plead Guilty to Making False Statements in M18 Shooting Incident

Two airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base have pleaded guilty to making false statements about a deadly shooting incident that temporarily suspended the use of Sig Sauer M18 pistols at nuclear weapons sites, the Air Force announced Friday.

The incident, which claimed the life of 21-year-old Airman Brayden Lovan in July, prompted Air Force Global Strike Command to halt the use of the M18 pistol for a month. The suspension was lifted in late August after officials determined the weapon was safe to carry.

Lovan, who served with the 90th Security Forces Squadron of the 90th Missile Wing at the Wyoming base, died on July 20 after fellow airman Marcus White-Allen allegedly pointed an M18 pistol at his chest in what was described as a “joking manner,” according to the Air Force statement.

In the aftermath of the shooting, White-Allen reportedly urged the two other airmen present to fabricate a story about what had occurred. Air Force officials revealed that White-Allen instructed Airman Sarbjot Badesha to “Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off,” while directing Airman Matthew Rodriguez to inform emergency responders that White-Allen’s “holster went off.”

Both airmen initially complied with these instructions, leading investigators to initially believe the weapon had accidentally discharged. However, they later admitted to making false statements.

This week, Badesha and Rodriguez pleaded guilty to making false official statements related to Lovan’s death. Badesha received a sentence of 30 days in confinement and forfeiture of $1,545, while Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days in confinement, 15 days restriction to base, and forfeiture of $500. Both airmen also received administrative demotions.

White-Allen, who had been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making a false statement, was found dead on base on October 8. The Air Force has not disclosed details surrounding his death, stating only that the matter remains under investigation. Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid has declined to comment on White-Allen’s death.

The month-long suspension of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol by Air Force Global Strike Command was notable because other branches of the U.S. military continued to use the weapon during this period. The temporary ban came amid ongoing legal challenges against New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer, with lawsuits alleging that the company’s P320 pistol—the civilian variant of the M18—can discharge without the trigger being pulled.

Sig Sauer has consistently denied these claims, maintaining that the pistol is safe and that any unintended discharges result from user error rather than design flaws. The company has prevailed in several of these legal cases.

The M18 pistol is a critical piece of equipment for security personnel at nuclear weapons sites, where strict safety protocols are essential. The Air Force Global Strike Command oversees the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers, making weapon reliability a paramount concern.

The shooting incident and subsequent false statements highlight ongoing concerns about weapons handling protocols and accountability within military security forces. The Air Force has not indicated whether any broader policy changes or additional training requirements will be implemented following this incident.

The case also underscores the serious consequences of making false official statements in military investigations, as evidenced by the confinement sentences and financial penalties imposed on Badesha and Rodriguez.