Guam - A soldier from Guam appeared in military court in Hawaii this week and was found guilty of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. A local firefighter faces being dishonorably discharged from the military after he was found guilty on various criminal charges in a military court in the Aloha State this week.

44-year-old Jason Tyquiengco of Merizo is not only a firefighter with the Guam Fire Department, but a U.S. Army Reserve Master Sergeant with the 368th Military Police Company. That all changes though, following a recent court martial.

The 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office in Hawaii confirms with KUAM News that the office of the Staff Judge Advocate there pursued criminal charges against Tyquiengco. The master sergeant was found guilty following several days of trial this week on one specification of wrongful sexual contact in violation of article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and five specifications of cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates in violation of Article 93.

A military judge sentenced him to 29 months behind bars, reduced him to the rank of E-4, a specialist, and ordered that he be dishonorably discharged from the Army.

According to military officials in Hawaii the case involving Tyquiengco came to light at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii last September during pre-mobilization training, "an investigation of the Army Criminal Investigation Division revealed that MSG Tyquiengco had perpetuated a pattern of abusive treatment towards his soldiers going back at least 10 years."

Meanwhile, Tyquiengco's attorney, Major Vincent Shuler, could not comment about the trial or whether his client intends to appeal. Shuler told KUAM News that information is privileged and he would need his client's permission before speaking with us.

As for his status at the Guam Fire Department, Chief Joey San Nicolas said Tyquiengco has been on military orders for the last year and is currently on undetermined status with the Guam Fire Department.

Tyquiengco is a Firefighter II assigned to Station Six in Inarajan.

Chief San Nicolas says he has been trying to obtain official information after receiving unconfirmed reports about the military pursuing criminal charges against the firefighter. The fire department has only been able to confirm that Tyquiengco was still on military orders. San Nicolas says he is waiting on official documentation regarding the court martial to determine whether any action will be taken against the firefighter. Those options include suspension, demotion or termination.

Tyquiengco has been with the fire department for 22 years.

In the meantime, the findings of his court martial must now be approved by the 8th Theater Sustainment Command commanding general.  If the findings are approved Tyquiengco will be required to register as a sex offender.