CAMP FOSTER, Japan – On September 22, 2025, a U.S. Army sergeant stationed in Japan was convicted of possessing child pornography with intent to distribute during a general court-martial held at Camp Zama and conducted at Camp Foster.
SGT Malikhi J. Ly-Hughes, a Satellite Communications Technician assigned under U.S. Army Japan, pleaded guilty before a military judge sitting alone. According to court records, Ly-Hughes was convicted under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The military judge sentenced Ly-Hughes to 32 months of confinement, reduction to E-1, and a bad-conduct discharge. The sentence matched the terms of his plea agreement.
Background and Service
Ly-Hughes joined the U.S. Army in 2017 at age 17, shipping to basic training less than two weeks after high school graduation. After completing Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, and Airborne School, he was assigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served as a Tactical Terminal Technician with Alpha Company, 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.
During his time with the 40th ESB, he trained and operated multiple Army satellite communications systems, including Phoenix Terminals, STT, and HCLOS terminals, and supported National Training Center and Warfighter exercises across the United States. The battalion’s mission was to provide rapid-deployment communications to warfighters, allies, and partner forces worldwide.
In 2020, Ly-Hughes deployed to Djibouti, Africa, working as a Communications Security Custodian under U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), supporting theater-wide communications missions. He later conducted a temporary duty assignment in Guam before being stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
According to his professional profile, Ly-Hughes served over eight years in the Army, holding roles as a Noncommissioned Officer and Unit Prevention Leader, responsible for coordinating drug-testing programs and readiness standards within his unit.
His social media accounts indicate that he is married and has one child.
Court-Martial Details
The general court-martial was convened under U.S. Army Japan (GCMCA) authority. The case was presided over by Military Judge Lt. Col. Mitchell D. Herniak. Trial counsels were CPT Diamond Akers (lead) and CPT Joseph Stzrempko (assistant). The defense was led by CPT Andrew Huffman.
The proceedings, originally docketed for arraignment and trial at Camp Zama on September 22, were ultimately conducted at Camp Foster, Okinawa, due to the accused’s assignment location.
SGT Ly-Hughes’s conviction for possessing child pornography with intent to distribute carries severe punitive measures under military law. His bad-conduct discharge will remove him from Army service following confinement and appellate review.
As of publication, U.S. Army Japan has not issued an official statement regarding the case or Ly-Hughes’s prior unit assignment history.
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