Barracks Rumor Mill cover: full-frame photo of a security guard checking IDs at the Fort Leonard Wood main gate, with the headline "Fort Leonard Wood MP Captain Dismissed in Domestic Violence Case" over a dark band and a small DISMISSED stamp.

Fort Leonard Wood MP Captain Dismissed in Domestic Violence Case

A military police captain at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, was dismissed from the Army and sentenced to 82 days of confinement on March 10 after pleading guilty to domestic violence and obstruction of justice. Capt. Matthew A. Punay admitted taking a staff sergeant’s car and house keys to intimidate her. He also admitted asking to have his SpyGuy account data deleted when he had reason to believe criminal charges were coming.

What happened

  • Punay was assigned to the 701st Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood. His charge sheet shows he had been in the Army since August 2018.
  • He was convicted of one domestic violence specification. On or about Jan. 8, 2024, with intent to intimidate a staff sergeant who was his intimate partner, he wrongfully took her personal vehicle and residence keys.
  • He was also convicted of obstruction of justice. On or about June 26, 2024, he requested deletion of his SpyGuy account data with intent to obstruct justice, when he had reason to believe criminal proceedings against him were pending or would be.
  • Other charges, including stalking, assault, and fraternization, were dismissed or withdrawn under the plea.
  • A military judge sitting alone sentenced him under a plea agreement that required a dismissal and set confinement at 1 to 6 months on each count. He got 82 days for domestic violence and 48 days for obstruction, served at the same time.

What the Army said

The Army’s court-martial result says Punay “was convicted by a military judge, pursuant to his pleas, of one specification of domestic violence and one specification of obstruction of justice.” It adds, “The sentence was consistent with the terms of a plea agreement.”

The case was a general court-martial convened by the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. A dismissal is the officer equivalent of a dishonorable discharge.

Why an E-4 should care

  • Deleting data after you think charges are coming is its own crime. He pleaded guilty to it.
  • Taking a partner’s keys to scare or control them is domestic violence under Article 128b of the UCMJ. The law covers more than hitting.
  • If a partner or someone in your chain is using your keys, your phone or your location to control you, the Family Advocacy Program and your installation’s domestic abuse victim advocate can help. You can also go to CID or the IG.

Cover photo: A security guard with the Directorate of Emergency Services checks visitor IDs at Fort Leonard Wood’s Main Gate, Missouri, Dec. 9, 2025. The photo is unrelated to the case. U.S. Army photo by Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office, via DVIDS (ID 9436419), https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9436419/fort-leonard-wood-security-guards-proud-protect-community. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

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