Air Force trainer gets 30 days in jail in sex scandal

Source: Reuters

Air Force trainer gets 30 days in jail in sex scandal

By Jim Forsyth
SAN ANTONIO | Fri Aug 3, 2012 1:43am EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. Air Force basic training instructor was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Thursday and had his rank reduced after being convicted of improper sexual misconduct at a court martial, one of seven cases in the worst military sex scandal since 1996.

Technical Sergeant Christopher Smith, 33, could have faced a year in prison and being kicked out of the Air Force with a bad conduct discharge. He was reduced to the rank of Airman First Class.

He was found guilty late Wednesday of having unprofessional relationships with two female basic trainees.

Seven trainers at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio have been charged with sexual misconduct. The latest, Staff Sergeant Jason Manko, was charged on Thursday, Air Force officials said.

-snip-

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2 replies	Author	Time	Post
Air Force trainer gets 30 days in jail in sex scandal (Original post)	Eugene	Aug 2012	OP
I am a bit surprised. He dodged a huge bullet. He will be able to get a decent discharge.	MADem	Aug 2012	#1
Lenient military justice gives us whacko politicians like	SDjack	Aug 2012	#2

Response to Eugene (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2012, 02:31 PM

MADem (86,027 posts)

1. I am a bit surprised. He dodged a huge bullet. He will be able to get a decent discharge.

It is unlikely in the extreme that he will survive past his current enlistment. He's done when his time is up.

No retirement benefits, career flushed. All because he behaved like a stupid, boorish ass and misused his position of trust.

He was very lucky to get a relatively easy judgment. Could have been much worse.

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Response to Eugene (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2012, 02:54 PM

SDjack (1,066 posts)

2. Lenient military justice gives us whacko politicians like

Rep. Allen West (R-FL).

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