A senior-ranking Army sergeant who handles sexual assault cases at Fort Hood, Texas, is now being investigated for several sex crimes, including ties to prostitution.
Several sources said the sergeant first class, whose name is being withheld because no charges have yet been filed, is under investigation for accusations related to prostitution, United Press International reported.
A staffer on Capitol Hill said to USA Today that the senior-level sergeant was facing investigation for forcing a lower-ranked solider into prostitution, and for sexually abusing two other individuals. And two unnamed Pentagon officials confirmed to USA Today that the sergeant was accused of running a prostitution ring.
The sergeant is being investigated by the Army Criminal Investigation Command for “abusive sexual contact,” the Pentagon said, UPI reported. The sergeant also faces suspicions of mistreating subordinates and assault.
The sergeant has been taken off duties as an “equal opportunity adviser,” and sexual harassment and assault prevention officer, while the investigation continues, UPI reported.
The scandal comes at a time when U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered all branches of the military to “retrain, recredential and rescreen” military recruiters and sexual-assault prevention officials, a Pentagon official said in the UPI report.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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