Sex Scandal at Lackland Air Force Base



(San Antonio, Texas) Big sex scandal at one of America's military training centers has led to sexual misconduct charges against several male instructors.

Allegations that male instructors had sex with, and in one case raped, female trainees have led to criminal charges against four men. Charges against others are possible.

The most serious accusations surround an Air Force staff sergeant scheduled to face a court-martial in July on charges that include rape and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault. The other three defendants were charged with lesser crimes ranging from sexual misconduct to adultery. All of the defendants were assigned to turn raw recruits into airmen in eight weeks of basic training.

A two-star general is now investigating alongside a separate criminal probe, which military prosecutors say could sweep up more airmen. Advocates for female service members and members of Congress have started taking notice.

"It's a pretty big scandal the Air Force is having to deal with at this point," said Greg Jacob, a former Marine infantry officer and policy director of the Service Women's Action Network. "It's pretty substantial in its scope."

Chances are that the Lackland scandal will become as notorious as the Navy's Tailhook incident.

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The names of two male instructors have been released: Staff Sgt. Luis Walker and Staff Sgt. Peter Vega-Maldonado.