4 Army soldiers charged in connection with on-base sexual assault of college student who's now an officer
Share and Follow

Legal proceedings for four Army soldiers charged in connection with the sexual assault of a college student in an Army barracks began this month, a spokesperson for the military branch said.

The four were charged in April in connection with an Oct. 27 incident in barracks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, southwest of Tacoma, Washington.

The victim, who was not identified, was described by Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, as a college student who has since been commissioned as an officer.

McCaskill told to NBC affiliate KING of Seattle the four men face the following charges, with many of the charges appearing with multiple counts, or specifications in Army parlance:

  • Cpl. Pedro Angel Ruiz, 29, faces a court-martial. He is charged with attempted sexual assault, principal to indecent recording, principal to distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault and obstruction of justice. Online court records did not list a plea, and his trial is scheduled for November.
  • Pvt. 2nd Class Deron J. Gordon, 20, faces a court-martial. He is charged with sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, principal to abusive sexual contact, principal to sexual assault, principal to attempted sexual assault, principal to indecent recording, principal to distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault and obstruction of justice. He pleaded guilty, and a hearing was scheduled for Sept. 3.
  • Spc. Jadon Bosarge, 24, is charged with sexual assault, principal to sexual assault, principal to attempted sexual assault, indecent recording, principal to indecent recording, principal to distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault and obstruction of justice.
  • Pfc. Kallon Curiel, 24, is charged with sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, principal to abusive sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, principal to sexual assault, principal to attempted sexual assault, indecent recording, principal to indecent recording, principal to distribution of indecent recording, conspiracy to commit sexual assault and obstruction of justice.

In addition, McCaskill said, Curiel is charged with sexual assault of a child and sexual assault without consent in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a child in Arizona.

The Army generally appoints defense counsel in cases like these. Representatives of its Defense Counsel Assistance Program did not immediately respond to a request for comment on behalf of the defendants. Counsel listed for Ruiz in his court docket could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault are each calibrated to 30-year sentences for each specification, McCaskill said. Each defendant faces the potential of decades in prison if he is successfully prosecuted.

It’s not clear exactly what the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, the prosecuting body, alleges happened on that October day in the barracks, but McCaskill said, “The sexual assaults occurred at the same time and place with all charged soldiers present.”

The cases, including trials for each soldier, are scheduled to continue moving forward next month and at least through November in court at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Country Ever After star Criscilla Anderson dies age 45

Country Ever After’s Criscilla Anderson Passes Away at 45: A Tribute to Her Life and Legacy

Renowned for her role in Country Ever After, Criscilla Anderson has passed…
Maserati-driving GOP staffer ordered to get psych treatment

GOP Staffer With Maserati Mandated to Undergo Psychological Treatment

A former GOP staffer, who staged an intricate hoax by faking her…
Putin's daughter says she's 'really sorry' about her father's war

Putin’s Daughter Apologizes for Father’s War Actions: A Personal Perspective on Conflict

In a dramatic encounter in Paris, Vladimir Putin’s alleged secret daughter was…
Doctor who sold ketamine to Matthew Perry sentenced

Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Supplying Ketamine to Actor Matthew Perry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A physician who admitted to illegally distributing ketamine…
Elderly Texas woman learns fate for distributing 150,000 doses of fentanyl through the mail

Texas Grandmother Sentenced for Massive Fentanyl Mailing Operation: A 150,000 Dose Scandal

An elderly woman from Texas with a background in nursing was recently…
Man charged with attacking NYU student has 16 prior arrests

Serial Offender Strikes Again: Man with 16 Prior Arrests Charged in NYU Student Assault

A man taken into custody for allegedly assaulting a 20-year-old student from…
UFO clues emerge in decades-old images showing strange bursts over nuclear testing sites: report

Decades-Old Photos Reveal Mysterious Lights Above Nuclear Test Sites: New Report Suggests UFO Connection

Photographs taken more than 70 years ago may provide crucial insights into…
No video evidence backing Tara Reid’s claim she was drugged at Chicago bar: police

Chicago Police Find No Video Proof to Support Tara Reid’s Allegation of Being Drugged at Local Bar

The Rosemont police have announced that their investigation has yet to uncover…