Army drill sergeants get prison for ‘prohibited’ trainee relationships

Two Army drill sergeants were sentenced to prison, busted down to the rank of private, and will be discharged after pleading guitly to engaging in sexual relationships with trainees during boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, officials announced. One of the trainees reported the two drill instructors the day before basic training graduation. 

Staff Sgt. Michael Serrano, 34, and Sgt. 1st Class Brian Sullivan, 39, were drill sergeants assigned to Company A, 3rd Chemical Brigade, when they had “prohibited” relationships with newly recruited soldiers and then worked together to cover up the crimes.

The two drill sergeants faced separate court-martial proceedings last week and signed separate plea agreements.

A trainee brought a letter to her unit’s staff duty officer, which described how Sullivan had pursued her while Serrano pursued a second trainee in the unit, Army officials said in a release. The letter was shared with the command and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Sullivan pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact and was sentenced to 84 days in prison. He will be reduced in rank to E-1, and will receive an other than honorable discharge from the Army. After his sentence, Sullivan, 39, will have to register as a sex offender according to state and federal laws, officials said.

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Source: Task & Purpose
Website: taskandpurpose.com