US general charged with adultery, other sex crimes

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tags:

fort bragg, local/state

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- A high-ranking Army officer faces sex charges according to military officials.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair is accused of forcible sodomy and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The charges were announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Fort Bragg.

The Associated Press said it spoke with two defense officials who said Sinclair had inappropriate relationships with several female subordinates.

They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to provide details on the case.

Sinclair is a former Fort Bragg deputy commanding general for support with the 82nd Airborne Division, according to a biography on the Fort Bragg website. He was named to the post in July 2010.

Officials said Sinclair has been under investigation for some time. He was sent home from Afghanistan in May.

Other charges include attempted violation of an order, engaging in inappropriate relationships, misuse of a government travel card, possessing alcohol and pornography while deployed, maltreatment of subordinates, filing fraudulent claims, engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, or of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

At the news conference Wednesday afternoon, Army spokesperson Col. Kevin Arata said the next step in the case would be an Article 32 hearing. That's a military hearing to determine if the case has merit and should proceed.

A date for that hearing has not been scheduled, but the spokesperson said it would be open to the public.

The charges were against Sinclair were first reported by the Fayetteville Observer.