West Point sergeant accused of secretly filming female cadets

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/22/west-point-sergeant-accused-of-secretly-filming-female-cadets/



West Point sergeant accused of secretly filming female cadets
By David Ferguson
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 15:38 EDT

A sergeant first class and officer in charge of the “health, welfare and discipline” of cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point has been accused of videotaping female cadets without their consent, including when the women were showering or otherwise unclothed. According to the New York Times, Sgt. First Class Michael McClendon is being charged under four articles of the Uniform Code for Military Justice, including indecent acts, dereliction of duty, cruelty and maltreatment, and actions prejudicial to good order and discipline.

The Army is notifying a dozen women that their privacy may have been violated. While some details about the case are still sketchy, McClendon allegedly shot photos of female cadets in the shower, while other images appear to have been taken through windows. Some appear to have been take consensually, while others do not.

The Army has made no formal announcement about the case, but spokesperson George Wright answered questions from the Times. The Times was alerted to the situation when “current and former members of the West Point community” contacted the newspaper saying they were alarmed by the accusations and wanted to know what would be done.

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McClendon served as a “tactical noncommissioned officer” at West Point in charge of cadet welfare. Each of these officers is in charge of 125 West Point cadets and is under order to “assist each cadet in balancing and integrating the requirements of physical, military, academic and moral-ethical programs.”