Trial set to begin for Army general facing sex charges

http://gazette.com/trial-set-to-begin-for-army-general-facing-sex-charges/article/1515824



FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2012 file photo, Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, left, leaves a Fort Bragg courthouse with a member of his defense team, Maj. Elizabeth Ramsey, after he deferred entering a plea at his arraignment on charges of fraud, forcible sodomy, coercion and inappropriate relationships. Sinclair is scheduled to appear Tuesday, March 4, 2014 in a Fort Bragg courtroom on criminal charges that include physically forcing a female captain under his command to perform oral sex. The 51-year-old married father admits he carried on a three-year extramarital affair with the junior officer, but denies any physical abuse.

Trial set to begin for Army general facing sex charges
Associated Press - • Updated: March 4, 2014 at 5:28 am • Published: March 4, 2014

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Once a rising star among the U.S. Army's top battle commanders, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair is now fighting sexual assault charges that could land him life in a military prison if convicted.

Sinclair, who was the deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne, was set to appear Tuesday in a Fort Bragg courtroom to face court martial on criminal charges that include physically forcing a female captain under his command to perform oral sex.

While denying that accusation, lawyers for the married father of two have said he carried on a three-year extramarital affair with the junior officer during war tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The admission of an affair will almost certainly end his Army career.

Sinclair, 51, has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges including forcible sodomy, indecent acts, violating orders, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.