MTI sentenced in sex scandal at basic training

[GAP]

Is this unusually harsh? Does the CF pursue the issues as thoroughly? dunno know....asking.

MTI sentenced in sex scandal at basic training
Article Link
Staff report  Sunday Apr 8, 2012

A military training instructor was sentenced Friday to 90 days’ confinement, reduction in grade from staff sergeant to airman and 30 days’ hard labor in a widening sex scandal investigation at basic training that now includes four former MTIs at Joint Base San Antonio.

Staff Sgt. Peter Vega-Maldonado, charged with engaging in a prohibited relationship with a former basic trainee who had graduated to technical training and violating an order from his commander prohibiting any contact with that student, pleaded guilty in a pretrial agreement in exchange for a lesser sentence. He also agreed to provide information on two other 331st Training Squadron MTIs who are under investigation for engaging in prohibited relationships with technical training students.

The investigation involving the two unidentified MTIs is ongoing, and no further details were released.

MTIs are barred from engaging in relationships with recruits even after graduation.

Vega-Maldonado, who is assigned to the 331st training squadron, also will forfeit $2,000 in pay. The 30 days’ hard labor will be served concurrently with a 30-day restriction to Joint Base San Antonio.

Vega-Maldonado entered the Air Force in December 2003 and became an MTI in November 2009, said Brent Boller, 502nd Air Base Wing spokesman.

Boller said Vega-Maldonado was identified by a fellow instructor following an examination of all MTIs last year. The review was initiated after another instructor, Staff Sgt. Luis Walker, was accused of sexually assaulting a trainee.

Walker faces court-martial April 30 on one count of rape, six counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of attempted aggravated sexual contact, and 18 counts of violating a lawful order and a lawful general regulation relating to unprofessional relationships with trainees. He is also accused of adultery and obstruction of justice.
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[Dissident]

I know of easily a half dozen relationship where the male was an instructor on basic and the female on said basic. And the rumors about many, many other ones. In most cases the relation started in earnest AFTER the end of the course.

I don't think it raises too many eyebrows unless it was ongoing (and affected) during the basic.

That's why I usually avoid course parties...

 

[chrisf]

You're also talking about an organization that includes "adultery" as a charge...

 

[Kat Stevens]

US frat regs, as far as I know, are pretty inflexible and quite restrictive.  It looks like an example being made, but I don't find the severity of the punishment that surprising.  Still, i don't know all the facts of the case, so pure WAG on my part.

 

[Robert0288]

violating an order from his commander prohibiting any contact with that student

Something tells me that he was warned prior and then chose to disregard.  Although that might be me reading to far into the story.

 

[Ex-SHAD]

US frat regs, as far as I know, are pretty inflexible and quite restrictive.  It looks like an example being made, but I don't find the severity of the punishment that surprising.  Still, i don't know all the facts of the case, so pure WAG on my part.

Normally your 1st Sgt(not sure of what the AF equivalent is) can normally meet out punishment in regards to fraternization that will generally stay at the unit level(avoiding article 15's and all that other unpleasant paperwork), however Fort Sam(Joint Base San Antonio) is a highly political post, so it doesn't surprise me that they threw everything they could at the SSG. Also, with our fraternization regs, they can be as strict as as a private getting tore up, for riding with his NCO to the PX.