An Army general pleaded guilty Monday to lesser charges of adultery and mistreating subordinates, as he admitted to inappropriate relationships with three soldiers who had served under his command.
As a part of the plea deal prosecutors dropped the sexual assault charges against Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair to end the high-profile case. Sinclair is the highest-ranking U.S. military officer to face court-martial on sexual assault charges. The 51 year old pleaded guilty to the lesser charges and might have to register as a sex offender. A military judge accepted the guilty pleas this morning. A sentencing hearing for Sinclair is expected to be completed this week or possibly by the end of Monday.
Sinclair had been accused of forcing a female captain under his command to perform oral sex twice, during an extramarital affair that lasted three years. Defense attorney Richard Scheff said Monday that Sinclair is pleading guilty to charges, such as adultery, that likely wouldn’t be criminal in the civilian world.
The married 27-year Army man pleaded guilty earlier this month to having improper relationships with three subordinate officers, including the female captain who accused him of assault, according to the AP. He is also charged with the improper use of a government credit card while traveling to visit his mistresses.
If convicted under the plea deal, Sinclair may face penalties of 15 years in prison and dismissal from the Army. At the conclusion of his trial Scheff expects that Sinclair will “retire at a reduced rank and go home to his family” without time behind bars. The loss of rank could cost Sinclair hundreds of thousands of dollars in pension benefits.
The case spotlights the military’s increasing involvement in recognizing and persecuting those suspected of sexual crimes. Judge Col. James Pohl said the military may have improperly pressed ahead with the trial to send a message about its determination to curb rape and other widespread misconduct. The court questioned the primary accuser to determine if she had lied in a pretrial hearing.