Tag: Military

NBC Bay Area: California National Guard Culture Questioned (November 14, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Scandals, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Whistleblowers expose hidden culture inside the California National Guard

Air National Guard SealBehind the Gates of the Guard

‘The California National Guard has a long history of serving the country in critical times of need. Its members have fought wildfires, responded to Hurricane Katrina and recently assisted with rescue efforts in super storm Sandy. It is a reserve military force of 23,000 guard members—the largest in the nation—where “integrity first” is a guiding principle. But a joint-investigation by NBC Bay Area and KNBC-TV in Los Angeles has uncovered a disturbing hidden culture in the California National Guard where some guard members say sexual assault and racism at times go unchecked, and where retaliation is a frequent method of discipline. During the past six months reporters spoke with nearly two dozen men and women from the California Guard who have found no solution inside and now want to expose what they say is the truth.”

Read more from NBC Bay Area here.

Related Links:
NBC Bay Area: California Guard Tries to Serve Firing Papers to Member After Suicide Attempt (June 25, 2013)
NBC Bay Area | Military Women: We Got Fired for Being Raped (August 21, 2014)
NBC Bay Area: California National Guard Military Sexual Assault Bill Becomes Law (August 21, 2014)

Homicide Hunter Premiered ‘A Gathering of Evil’ on ID: Homeless Teen Maggie Fetty Found Murdered in Colorado Springs (October 9, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, True CrimeLeave a comment

Teen runaway Maggie Fetty is found strangled to death on a mountain road. An anonymous tipster blames Maggie’s best friend, but she accuses a mental patient with multiple personalities. Kenda must turn the suspects against each other to learn the truth. -A Gathering of Evil, Homicide Hunter (S2, E2)

“When the time came to handle funeral arrangements for Maggie Fetty, no one was there to do it so Lt. Joe Kenda and his fellow officers did it themselves. They chipped in and bought her a head stone to assist with the evidence of her passing. The headstone is a reminder for Joe Kenda of why he chose a life in law enforcement. Joe said he can’t stop a murderer or undue the murder once it’s been done but he can certainly find the person responsible and make sure they don’t do it again. Society has a way of forgetting about the most vulnerable but when it comes to Joe Kenda, nobody slips through the cracks, not a culprit, not a co-conspirator, and certainly not Maggie Fetty.” -A Gathering of Evil, Homicide Hunter

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Margaret ‘Maggie’ Fetty (photo credit: http://www.FindAGrave.com)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Obituary: Margaret Ann “Maggie” Fetty
Woman, 29, Pleads Guilty to Killing Teen
Inside the Kenda Files: Fetty
A Gathering of Evil | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (S2, E2)
A Gathering of Evil | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (preview)
A Gathering of Evil | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (website)
A Gathering of Evil | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
A Gathering of Evil | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Carson, Colorado (US Army)
Army Spouse Melinda Stewart, Army Sgt. Daniel Stewart, Jill Yousaf & Army Soldier James Catlin Conspired and Murdered Homeless Colorado Teen Maggie Fetty (November 30, 1991)
What the DoD Doesn’t Want You to Know: 50 Shocking Military Homicides in the Last 30 Years (March 23, 2018)
Top 10 on Military Justice for All in 2018 (December 31, 2018)

Unusual Suspects Premiered ‘Mother’s Day Murders’ on ID: Timothy Hennis on Military Death Row for Murders of Kathryn, Cara & Erin Eastburn (October 8, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Scandals, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment
Unusual Suspects 4
Mother’s Day Murders, Unusual Suspects, Investigation Discovery (S4,E5)

Death Row Stories (CNN):

While on death row, Tim Hennis received an anonymous letter confessing to the murders. The note didn’t produce any leads. -CNN (July 17, 2014)

The star witness in Tim Hennis’ trial had doubts about whether Hennis committed the murders. -CNN (July 17, 2014)

A man tried three times for his life but is he a killer? Find out! Death Row Stories. -CNN (September 5, 2014)

The brutal murder of a U.S. Army wife and her two young daughters. One year later, a mountain of circumstantial evidence sent U.S. Army sergeant Timothy Hennis to death row for the crime, but the case later took a unique turn in legal history. -Timothy Hennis, Death Row Stories (S1,E7)

Victims:

Katie & Children
Kathryn Eastburn, Cara Eastburn, and Erin Eastburn

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Death Row Stories: Hennis Trailer | CNN
I did the crime…you’re doin’ the time | CNN
Death penalty case’s ‘Perry Mason moment’ | CNN
Timothy Hennis | Death Row Stories | CNN (S1,E7)
Four U.S. Service Members on Military Death Row at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Army Private John Bennett was Last Military Execution by Hanging in 1961
A Military Jury Delivered a Guilty Verdict in a Death Penalty Trial to Retired Army MSG Timothy Hennis for the Triple Murders of Kathryn, Cara & Erin Eastburn (April 8, 2010)
In 3rd Trial, Retired Army MSG Timothy Hennis Sentenced to Death by Military Court Martial for the Murders of Kathryn, Cara & Erin Eastburn at Fort Bragg (April 15, 2010)
Violent Crime, Non Combat Death and Suicide at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (US Army)
Mother’s Day Murders | Unusual Suspects | Investigation Discovery (website)
Mother’s Day Murders | Unusual Suspects | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
The Eastburn Family Murders & The 3 Trials of Timothy Hennis | Military Murder Podcast
The Eastburn Family Murders | True Crime Brewery Podcast
3 People on Death Row Who May Be Innocent Part 2

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

On By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USMCLeave a comment

xl_deptofdefenselogo

09/30/2012:  DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Riley Stephens, 39, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Orion Sparks, 29, and Jonathan Gollnitz, 28, Afghanistan, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/28/2012:  Airman Missing from WWII Identified

09/28/2012:  Marine Missing in Action from Korean War Identified

09/27/2012:  Army Releases August Suicide Data

09/26/2012:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Dion Roberts, 25, NCD, Afghanistan, East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit

09/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Swindle, 24, Afghanistan, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/19/2012:  DoD and VA to Fund $100 Million PTSD and TBI Study

09/19/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Nelson, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Gordon, Georgia

09/19/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Sapuro Nena, 25, Genaro Bedoy, 20, and Jon Townsend, 19, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/17/2012:  New DOD Safe Helpline Mobile App Now Available

09/17/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Christopher Raible, 40, and Bradley Atwell, 27, Afghanistan, Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

09/15/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle Osborn, 26, Afghanistan, Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy

09/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Jose Montenegro Jr, 31, and Thalia Ramirez, 28, NCDs, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/06/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Shane Cantu, 20, Afghanistan, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy

09/05/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Alec Terwiske, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

09/04/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremie Border, 28, Afghanistan, Torii Station, Japan

09/04/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jonathan Schmidt, 28, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/03/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle Rookey, 23, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

Lackland Military Training Instructor SSgt Kwinton Estacio Pleaded Guilty; Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Unprofessional Relationship (September 10, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment
Screen Shot 2016-07-30 at 4.01.44 PM
SSgt Kwinton Estacio, US Air Force

“If Estacio had been convicted of sexual assault or wrongful sexual contact, the Air Force would have been required to notify state officials so he could be placed on a sex-offender registry, said Lt. Col. Mark Hoover, an Air Force training command attorney.” -My SA

SSgt Kwinton Estacio was a basic military training instructor as Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was one of the 35 instructors courts martialed in what is referred to as the Lackland Sex Scandal. SSgt Estacio was accused of a sexual assault and wrongful sexual contact with a trainee. The judge found him not guilty of sexual assault as there was not enough evidence to support the charge. A sexual assault conviction carried a maximum sentence of thirty years. A jury found him not guilty of wrongful sexual contact. Sexual assault and wrongful sexual contact indictments could have landed him on the sex offender registry. SSgt Estacio pleaded guilty to an unprofessional relationship, disobeying a direct order, and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to one year in prison and received a bad conduct discharge. He appealed his sentence but the appeal was denied. Although the actions for which he was found guilty were unprofessional and in fact UCMJ infractions, they were not criminal in nature yet he was sentenced to 1 year in prison. SSgt Estacio had the sixth longest prison sentence in the Lackland scandal. SrA Christopher Oliver had the fifth longest sentence at 2 years for unprofessional relationships and adultery. SSgt Craig LeBlanc had the fourth longest sentence at 2 1/2 years for unprofessional relationships & adultery. SSgt Eddy Soto had the third longest sentence at 4 years for rape but Soto’s conviction was later overturned by the Air Force Criminal Court of Appeals. The rape charge lacked sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. SSgt Luis Walker and MSgt Michael Silva both received 20 year sentences for rape and sexual assault.

Related Links:
Air Force trainer pleads guilty in sex scandal
Lackland training instructor pleads not guilty to sexual assault charge
Air Force instructor in Texas acquitted on sex charge
Air Force trainer acquitted in sexual assault at Texas’ Lackland
Former Lackland trainer receives 1-year sentence
Air Force trainer is spared a 30-year penalty
Air Force boot-camp instructor sentenced to prison in sex scandal
US v. SSgt KWINTON K. ESTACIO, US Air Force, ACM 38256, 11 June 2014
The Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal, Texas (2011)
A Complete List of the 35 Basic Military Training Instructors Court Martialed in the Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, Scandals, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

Department of Defense

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jessica Wing, 42, NCD, Kuwait, Maine Army National Guard

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Christopher Birdwell, 25, and Mabry Anders, 21, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/27/2012:  Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified: William T. Brown, US Army

08/26/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Patricia Horne, 20, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/23/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Louis Torres, 23, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/22/2012:  Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified: John E. Hogan, US Army Air Forces

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: David V. Williams, 24, NCD, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Coater Debose, 55, Afghanistan, Camp Shelby, Mississippi

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 4 Army Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Brian Hornsby, 37, Suresh Krause, 29, Richard Essex, 23, and Luis Oliver Galbreath, NCDs, Afghanistan, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 2 Navy Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Patrick Feeks, 28, and David Warsen, 27, NCDs, Afghanistan, West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 1 Navy Casualty in Helicopter Crash: Sean Carson, 32, NCDs, Afghanistan, EOD, San Diego, California

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine and Navy Casualties: Gregory Copes, 36, and Darrel Enos, 36, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/19/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Justice, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/18/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Demarsico II, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/17/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Holman, 39, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/16/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Keller, 22, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Scott Dickinson, 29, Richard Rivera, 20, and Gregory Buckley, 21, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Matthew Manoukian, 29, Ryan Jeschke, 31, and Sky Mote, 27, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Trent, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Kennedy, 35, and Kevin Griffin, 45, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ethan Martin, 22, Afghanistan, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Walter Gray, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Clayton Beauchamp, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Daniel Linnabary II, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/06/2012:  Airmen Missing from Vietnam War Identified: Charles M. Walling, US Air Force

08/05/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Russell Bell, 37, and Matthew Sitton, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/03/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Todd Lambka, 25, and Jesus Lopez, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle McClain, 25, Afghanistan, Michigan Army National Guard

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Curtis Duarte, 22, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

Related Links:
Insider outrage: Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr., 21
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2002)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2003)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2008)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2009)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2010)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2011)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2013)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2014)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2015)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2016)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2017)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Afghanistan)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Other Areas)

Fort Campbell Army Pfc. Patricia Horne Died of Unspecified Causes in Bagram, Afghanistan (August 24, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment
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Pfc. Patricia Horne, US Army

Army Pfc. Patricia Horne, 20, died of unspecified causes on August 24, 2012 in Bagram, Afghanistan. Pfc. Horne was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Related Links:
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
Honor the Fallen: Army Pfc. Patricia L. Horne
Fort Campbell soldier dies in Afghanistan
Female Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
This Week’s U.S. War Casualties
Dignified Transfer at Dover AFB
US soldier killed in Afghanistan, buried in Miss.
United States soldier killed in Afghanistan, buried in Greenwood
Army Pfc. Patricia L. Horne Among Those Who Died For Us Last Week – Week 34
Afghanistan, August 2012: Return of the Fallen
Female servicewomen: ‘I am not here by mistake’
Beyond The Headlines – Honoring Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Afghanistan)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army Sgt. David V. Williams Died of Unspecified Causes in Kandahar, Afghanistan (August 18, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment
Screen Shot 2017-08-20 at 11.56.43 AM
Sgt. David V. Williams, US Army

Army Sgt. David V. Williams, 24, died of unspecified causes on August 18, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sgt. Williams was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the cause of death was under investigation.

Sgt David V. Williams Coming Home – Honoring a fallen hero.

Related Links:
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
Honor the Fallen: Army Sgt. David V. Williams
Sgt. David V. Williams dies in Afghanistan
Maryland Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
Frederick soldier dies in Afghanistan
Soldier from Frederick dies in Afghanistan
Soldier from Frederick, Md., dies in Afghanistan
Lewis-McChord soldier killed in Afghanistan
JBLM Stryker Soldier Sgt. David Williams Dies in Afghanistan
Hundreds honor Army Sgt. David V. Williams Monday afternoon
Families, friends remember fallen Marylanders
Soldier’s father: ‘Please remember David Vincent in your prayers’
Mother Remembering Fallen Son, Sending Another Off To Marines On Memorial Day
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)
Violent Crime, Suicide & Non Combat Death at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

WIGS Premiered the Season 1 Web Series of ‘Lauren’ on YouTube: Sexual Assault in the Military (August 13, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault, USAF, USCG, USMCLeave a comment

“Lauren”: Episode 1 of 3 — “The Report”: Sergeant Lauren Weil must defend her report when Major Stone raises serious concerns. -WIGS (August 13, 2012)

“Lauren”: Episode 2 of 3 — “The Third Man”: Weil endures an uncomfortable interrogation while Stone gets disappointing news. -WIGS (August 15, 2012)

“Lauren”: Episode 3 of 3 — “The Suck”: After Lauren learns the fate of her case, she gains an unlikely ally. -WIGS (August 17, 2012)

Related Links:
Lauren | Season 1, Ep. 1 of 3 | Feat. Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals | WIGS
Lauren | Season 1, Ep. 2 of 3 | Feat. Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals | WIGS
Lauren (+ Leslie Trailer) | Season 1, Ep. 3 of 3 | Feat. Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals | WIGS
YouTube’s ‘Lauren’ series focuses on military sexual assault
New YouTube Series Focuses On Military Sexual Assault (Video)
New Female-Centric Web Series WIGS Features Jennifer Beals, America Ferrera, Others
Review: WIGS web series ‘Lauren’ focuses on military sexual misconduct
YouTube series shines a light on military sexual assault
Watch: Jennifer Beals and Troian Bellisario Star in Heavyhitting Web Series ‘Lauren,’ About Military Rape
A military victim advocate talks about “Lauren”
WIGS Announces New Season and New Series
Season 2 of WIGS Award-Winning Series LAUREN to Premiere 5/3
Jennifer Beals and Troian Bellisario reunite for a second season of “Lauren”
“Lauren” Finale Roundtable on Military Sexual Assault (May 20, 2013)
What’s Trending And WIGS Host Live Roundtable On Military Sexual Assault Feat. “Lauren” Star Troian Bellisario
Military sexual assault is focus of YouTube series
‘Lauren’ Explores Sexual Assault in the Military
Jennifer Beals Takes on Sexual Assault in the Military in Web Series Lauren
Troian Bellisario “Soldiers Up” in the Web Series Lauren – Taking on Rape in the Military
Interview with Jennifer Beals and Troian Bellisario
Jennifer Beals and Sen. Claire McCaskill: ‘Military Sexual Assault Survivors, We Have Your Back’
Sexual Violence Issues in the Military | NCDSV
Congress Still Dragging Its Feet On Military Sexual Assault Reform

Lackland Basic Military Training Instructor Air Force SSgt Luis Walker Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Rape and Sexual Assault; Died By Suicide Two Years Later (July 21, 2012)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Military Policy, Scandals, Sexual Assault, Stateside Death, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment
Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 11.45.13 AM
SSgt Luis Walker, U.S. Air Force (Photo: Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News via AP)

Air Force SSgt. Luis Walker was a basic training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After an investigation into allegations of improper relationships and abuse of power at the training facility in 2011, SSgt Walker was charged with sexual assault. One of his victims stated under sworn testimony that he had raped her. As a result of the court martial, he was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison as opposed to the original life sentence he was faced with. Shortly after the conviction, his wife spoke out publicly claiming that her husband was innocent and that he did not get a fair trial. SSgt Walker also echoed those sentiments when asked for a statement from the Air Force Times (see quote below). A few months later, one of the victims in the trial went public with her story. Virginia Messick shared that she was raped by SSgt Walker and that it was a harrowing experience. She also later reported that she was facing battles trying to get disability benefits for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. SSgt Walker’s attempt to overturn the sexual assault conviction on appeal were eventually denied. It was only a few months later that he would be found dead in his cell at Fort Leavenworth from an apparent suicide.

“These setbacks have discouraged me and at times I have wanted to give up, but because of my family, I can not. I am a human being and an American, I deserve the right to a fair trial. There has been a lot of focus on the number of alleged victims in my case, instead of the charges against me, when in fact each charge should stand on its own.” -SSgt Luis Walker (USA Today, September 3, 2014)

Related Links:
Lackland Air Force instructor faces sexual assault charges
Air Force sex scandal: Court-martial begins for Texas instructor
Woman says Lackland Air Force Base trainer attacked her
Drill sergeant texted explicit photos, U.S. Air Force trainee tells court
Four women testify in growing Air Force sex scandal
Sergeant charged in Air Force sex scandal a “predator”: Prosecutor
Air Force instructor convicted of rape in wide sexual misconduct investigation
Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Walker guilty
Air Force instructor convicted of rape asks for leniency
Convicted Air Force Instructor Gets Twenty Years
Disgraced Air Force instructor sentenced to 20 years in sex scandal
SSgt Luis Walker, One Of The Lackland Air Force Rapists, Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison
Air Force instructor sentenced to 20 years in prison after raping female recruit and sexually assaulting several other women
Wife of Staff Sgt. Luis Walker: My husband is innocent
Release Of Former SSGT Luis Walker (Petition)
Lackland Rape Scandal Shines Spotlight On Military Failure
Lackland fallout: Rape victim turned whistleblower calls for congressional hearings
Attacked at 19 by an Air Force Trainer, and Speaking Out
Lackland Air Force Base Rape Victim Talks of Ordeal
A victim in the Air Force rape scandal breaks her silence
Survivor of sexual violence at Lackland Air Force Base speaks out
Lackland instructor’s victim speaks of trauma, fear
Lackland sex scandal prompts U.S. Air Force to discipline former commanders
Edward Rice, AF general who handled Lackland instructor scandals, retires
GI sex-assault victims face battle for disability benefits
United States vs SSgt Luis Walker, US Air Force (Court of Criminal Appeals)
Ex-Lackland instructor dead in apparent suicide
Ex-Air Force instructor in prison for sex assault dies
Convicted Rapist Found Dead in Cell at Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks
Results unclear for new sex assault safeguards at Air Force facilities
The Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal, Texas (2011)
A Complete List of the 35 Basic Military Training Instructors Court Martialed in the Lackland Air Force Base Sex Scandal