United States Air Force Basic Training scandal

The United States Air Force Basic Training scandal refers to the military sex scandal that took place at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The scandal involved 43 female trainees who were allegedly victimized by their Military Training Instructors during and after basic military training, which started in 2009.[1] Seventeen male instructors were accused of offenses, ranging from seeking improper relationships to rape,[2] and 35 instructors were removed from their posts pending investigations.[3] Nine of the accused instructors belonged to the 331st Training Squadron. The commander of the 331st Training Squadron, Lt. Col. Mike Paquette, was removed from command in June 2012 because of the problems in his unit.[4] In August 2012, the commander of the 737th training group, Col. Glenn Palmer, was also relieved from his position due to the scandal.[5]

Events

The investigation into the scandal began in June 2011, when a trainee reported suspected sexual misconduct. In November 2011, three instructors reported possible misconduct after overhearing fellow MTIs "talking about something that was completely unacceptable" according to General Edward Rice, head of the Air Education and Training Command.[6] In June 2012, Staff Sgt. Peter Vega-Maldonado made a plea deal, admitting to having an improper relationship and violating a no-contact order, for which he received a 90-day jail sentence as well as 30 days hard labor. His rank and pay were also reduced.[7] He agreed to testify against other accused MTIs for immunity for other related crimes. It was later revealed Vega-Maldonado had sex with nine other trainees.[6]

The second case, which yielded the longest sentence of 20 years,[8] proceeded to court martial for Staff Sgt. Luis Walker of the 326th Training Squadron, involving 28 counts against him including charges of rape, aggravated sexual contact, and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault.[9][10] Ten former trainees testified against Walker in his week-long trial. He was accused of having sexual intercourse with four recruits.[11] Walker was convicted on all 28 counts and sentenced to 20 years in jail.[12] Walker was also required to register as a sex offender.[13] In 2014, two years after his conviction, Walker was found dead in his cell from an apparent suicide, leaving behind a wife and two children.[8]

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Smith was charged with conducting an improper relationship with one trainee and seeking an improper, personal and intimate relationship with another trainee as well as obstruction of justice.[14] The charges stemmed from an incident in spring 2011 when Smith drove two trainees off base to meet with fellow instructor Master Sgt. Jamey Crawford.[15] Smith was convicted and sentenced to 30 days confinement and reduction in rank to Airman First Class.[16]

Master Sgt. Jamey Crawford was accused of an improper sexual relationship, providing alcohol to a trainee, and committing adultery.[14]

Staff Sgt. Kwinton Estacio was charged with sexual misconduct with a basic training student, abusing his authority, and obstructing justice.[17] Estacio faced a maximum punishment of 43 years confinement[18] but received only one year.[19]

Staff Sgt. Craig LeBlanc was charged with sexual misconduct, obstructing justice and making a false official statement. He was accused of using his post as a military instructor to sexually assault and pursue a sexual relationship with one female trainee, and having a wrongful sexual relationship with another. LeBlanc faced up to 22 years in prison but received two and a half years.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Woodward, Margaret (Aug 22, 2012). "Developing America's Airmen: A Review of Air Force Enlisted Training" (PDF). www.AF.Mil. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Davis, Kristin (Aug 27, 2012). "MTIs accused of wrong relationships now at 17". Air Force Times. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Jervis, Rick (July 19, 2012). "Sex-assault scandal casts a pall over Lackland AFB". USA Today. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  4. ↑ Carroll, Chris (June 29, 2012). "Air Force has identified 31 alleged victims in Lackland sex abuse scandal". Stars & Stripes. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  5. ↑ Weber, Paul J.; Lolita C. Baldor (Aug 10, 2012). "Air Force relieves commander over sex scandal". AP. AP. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  6. 1 2 Mulrine, Anna (June 28, 2012). "After sex scandal, Air Force mulls using only women to train female recruits". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  7. ↑ Lawrence, C., 31 victims identified in widening Air Force sex scandal, CNN, 2012
  8. 1 2 Christenson, Sig (Sep 3, 2014). "AF Instructor Convicted of Rape Commits Suicide". San Antonio Express-News.
  9. ↑ Lozano, Juan (July 17, 2012). "Female airman says trainer attacked her". Air Force Times. AP. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  10. ↑ Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (July 16, 2012). "Court-martial begins for Air Force trainer in sex-assault scandal". Stars & Stripes. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  11. ↑ Weissert, Will (July 21, 2012). "Air Force Instructor Convicted of Raping Recruit". ABC News. AP. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  12. ↑ Weissert, Will (July 21, 2012). "MTI receives 20-year sentence in sex assaults". Air Force Times. AP. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Gets 20 Years for Rape, Sex Assault". The New York Times. Reuters. July 21, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  14. 1 2 Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (June 27, 2012). "Two more Air Force trainers charged in growing sex scandal". Stars & Stripes. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  15. ↑ King, Karisa (July 31, 2012). "New sex-case court-martial kicks into gear". mysanantonio.com. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Texas Air Force instructor gets 30-day sentence". boston.com. AP. August 3, 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  17. ↑ Tan, Michelle (June 2, 2012). "Female airmen testify about sex acts with MTIs". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  18. ↑ Christenson, Sig (June 2, 2012). "Call over the intercom led to Lackland sex tryst". MySA. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  19. ↑ "Former Lackland trainer receives 1-year sentence". Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  20. ↑ "Lackland trainer gets prison for sexual misconduct". Retrieved 2016-06-23.
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