Summary
A 31-year-old male, a U.S. Navy veteran, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), H (Drug Involvement), I (Psychological Conditions), and J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant admitted to a history of psychological issues, criminal conduct, and drug use.
Specific allegations included a suicide attempt in November 2016, leading to inpatient treatment and a diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood. A 2021 psychological evaluation found no current mental health condition but noted personality characteristics and behavioral tendencies that could affect judgment. The applicant also faced nonjudicial punishment for assaulting a fellow sailor and was charged with assault and battery against a family member.
Further issues included a conviction for DUI, marijuana possession, tampering with evidence, and other offenses, followed by a probation violation. The applicant also admitted to marijuana use in 2012-2013, 2017, and 2020, and to deliberately omitting or falsifying facts on security questionnaires. The administrative judge determined that the applicant did not mitigate these security concerns, resulting in the denial of eligibility for access to classified information.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant's history of psychological conditions raised concerns about his judgment and trustworthiness.
- The applicant's criminal conduct, including multiple assaults and a DUI, demonstrated a pattern of behavior that undermined his reliability.
- The applicant's drug use and failure to comply with probation conditions indicated ongoing issues with substance misuse.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)appliedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual's Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(c)appliedVoluntary or Involuntary Inpatient Hospitalization
- AG ¶ 31(a)appliedA Pattern of Minor Offenses That Cast Doubt on the Individual's Judgment, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 31(b)appliedEvidence of Criminal Conduct
- AG ¶ 31(c)appliedIndividual Is Currently on Parole or Probation
- AG ¶ 31(d)appliedViolation or Revocation of Parole or Probation
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)appliedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal Conduct That Creates a Vulnerability to Exploitation
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 2, 2022
- Answer filedJun 23, 2022
- Hearing heldJun 26, 2023conducted by video teleconference
- Decision dateAug 30, 2023
Cite For
- Denial Based on Psychological Conditions Under Guideline I
- Criminal Conduct Impacting Security Clearance Under Guideline J
- Drug Involvement and Personal Conduct Issues Affecting Trustworthiness Under Guidelines H and E