4 US soldiers charged in on-base sexual assault of college student
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Army prosecutors say the reported assault took place inside barracks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, with all four soldiers present during the incident.
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Cars drive in and out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., at the Madigan Gate, Tuesday, June 25, 2013. (AP)
Legal proceedings have begun for four US Army soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a college student inside the barracks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, NBC News reported, citing a military spokesperson.
The soldiers were formally charged in April over the incident, which occurred on October 27 at the base, located southwest of Tacoma.
Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, described the victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, as a college student at the time of the assault who has since been commissioned as an officer.
In an interview for NBC affiliate KING in Seattle, McCaskill outlined the charges facing the four soldiers, noting that many include multiple counts, known in Army terminology as "specifications".
Details of charges against each soldier
Cpl. Pedro Angel Ruiz, 29, faces a court-martial and is charged with attempted sexual assault, principal to indecent recording, principal to distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, and obstruction of justice. No plea was listed in online records, and his trial is set for November.
Pvt. 2nd Class Deron J. Gordon, 20, Charged with sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, multiple counts of principal to abusive sexual contact and sexual assault, principal to attempted sexual assault, indecent recording and its distribution, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, and obstruction of justice. He has pleaded guilty, with a hearing scheduled for September 3.
Spc. Jadon Bosarge, 24, faces charges including sexual assault, principal to sexual assault, principal to attempted sexual assault, indecent recording, distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, and obstruction of justice.
Pfc. Kallon Curiel, 24, charged with sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, principal to sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, indecent recording, distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Additionally, Curiel faces separate charges of sexual assault of a child and sexual assault without consent in connection with an incident in Arizona.
Possible sentences, trial schedule
McCaskill noted that both sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault carry potential sentences of up to 30 years for each specification. Successful prosecutions could result in decades of imprisonment for the defendants.
While the Army typically assigns defense counsel for such cases, representatives for the Defense Counsel Assistance Program did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorneys listed for Ruiz could also not be reached late Tuesday.
Details of what occurred in the barracks remain limited, but McCaskill stated that “the sexual assaults occurred at the same time and place with all charged soldiers present.”
Court proceedings, including trials for each soldier, are set to continue into the coming months, with cases scheduled through at least November at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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