US soldier secretly tapes naked women
Source: Agencies |
May 24, 2013, Friday
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AN Army sergeant at the US Military Academy has been accused of videotaping female cadets in the showers at West Point, a defense official said on Wednesday.
It was the latest in a series of sex-related incidents that has rocked the armed forces.
Sergeant First Class Michael McClendon was charged with four violations of US military law in connection with the incident and has been transferred to a new base, pending the outcome of a probe by Army investigators, officials said.
The incident was disclosed hours after Army Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno told a Senate panel they were addressing the service's sexual harassment and assault problems as their top priority.
"I want to assure this committee of the Army's unwavering commitment to eliminating sexual assault and harassment in our ranks," McHugh said. "These crimes violate virtually everything the Army stands for ... and they will not be tolerated."
But lawmakers voiced concern about the military's handling of the issue. Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, warned that the incidents "have shaken the trust that many have in the ability of our military to deal with this."
McClendon was charged last week with indecent acts, dereliction of duty, cruelty and another count, Army spokesman George Wright said.
Wright said McClendon was being investigated for possession of inappropriate images taken without consent. He did not elaborate. The New York Times, which first reported the case, said the pictures included female cadets in the shower, which a defense official confirmed on condition of anonymity.
"The Army has notified those involved and offered support services at their individual locations," Wright said. "It appears to be at least a dozen or more alleged victims who may have been photographed without their consent."
It was the latest in a series of sex-related incidents that has rocked the armed forces.
Sergeant First Class Michael McClendon was charged with four violations of US military law in connection with the incident and has been transferred to a new base, pending the outcome of a probe by Army investigators, officials said.
The incident was disclosed hours after Army Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno told a Senate panel they were addressing the service's sexual harassment and assault problems as their top priority.
"I want to assure this committee of the Army's unwavering commitment to eliminating sexual assault and harassment in our ranks," McHugh said. "These crimes violate virtually everything the Army stands for ... and they will not be tolerated."
But lawmakers voiced concern about the military's handling of the issue. Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, warned that the incidents "have shaken the trust that many have in the ability of our military to deal with this."
McClendon was charged last week with indecent acts, dereliction of duty, cruelty and another count, Army spokesman George Wright said.
Wright said McClendon was being investigated for possession of inappropriate images taken without consent. He did not elaborate. The New York Times, which first reported the case, said the pictures included female cadets in the shower, which a defense official confirmed on condition of anonymity.
"The Army has notified those involved and offered support services at their individual locations," Wright said. "It appears to be at least a dozen or more alleged victims who may have been photographed without their consent."
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