Summary
A 29-year-old test technician was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant's history included illegal marijuana use between 1994 and 2002, which began before and continued during his military service. He was arrested, charged, and disciplined by the United States Marine Corps in 1996 for illegal marijuana use, yet he admitted to continuing use even while holding a security clearance.
Further issues arose from his security clearance application. The applicant failed to disclose relevant arrests, including a 1998 arrest for drunk and disorderly conduct, and provided inaccurate information. These omissions and falsifications were cited as deliberate, raising significant concerns about his judgment and reliability.
The judge determined that the applicant's admitted illegal drug use, criminal conduct, and deliberate misrepresentations on his application were not sufficiently mitigated. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant illegally purchased, possessed, and smoked marijuana between 1994 and 2002.
- He was arrested and disciplined by the Marines for marijuana use and continued to use marijuana while holding a security clearance.
- He failed to disclose relevant arrests and provided inaccurate information on his security clearance application.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A8.1.2.1raisedAny Drug Abuse
- E2.A8.1.2.2raisedIllegal Drug Possession
- E2.A5.1.2.2appliedDeliberate Omission of Relevant Facts
- E2.A5.1.2.3appliedProviding False or Misleading Information
- E2.A10.1.2.1appliedAdmission of Criminal Misconduct
- E2.A10.1.2.2appliedSingle Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
Key Rule Quoted
“No one has a right to a security clearance, and the clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 30, 2005
- Answer filedOct 26, 2005Applicant submitted a notarized response.
- Hearing held—Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateMay 8, 2006
Cite For
- Denial of Clearance Due to Ongoing Drug Involvement and Criminal Conduct
- Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Related to Personal Conduct
- Importance of Accurate Disclosures on Security Clearance Applications