A former US military battalion commander was discovered responsible on Friday of sexual harassment of a subordinate in what prosecutors hailed as a historic army justice case.
Lt Col Herman West, who was beforehand stationed at Washington state’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), confronted a number of prices over his remedy of a younger feminine officer in his command, KOMO Information reported.
The subordinate officer, whose identify has not been publicly launched, testified in a JBLM courtroom that West harassed her for weeks beginning in the summertime of 2023.
West’s actions included barging into the ladies’s bogs, making undesirable sexual remarks and repeatedly touching her inappropriately throughout army outings, KOMO Information reported. West additionally made persistent sexual advances, together with telling the girl that he was excited to go on a mission to Indonesia together with her so the 2 might share a lodge room and “get tremendous drunk” and “completely unhinged”.
The lady, who had lately graduated from school and a reserve officers’ coaching corps (ROTC) program, was initially scared to report West’s conduct as a result of he typically bragged about his uncle, former US congressman and Republican get together chief Allen West. Herman West had additionally emailed human sources with out the girl’s consent to stop her from having the ability to switch to a different place.
Nonetheless, the girl finally reported West after he took off his army shirt and unzipped his pants in entrance of her as the 2 have been driving again to base from lunch at an area restaurant.
A military colleague later satisfied the girl to file a report in opposition to West. The lady was additionally involved that she can be compelled to go on the mission to Indonesia with West and, “if he was daring sufficient to try this, he was daring sufficient to do extra”, she stated, referring to when West unzipped his pants, KOMO Information reported. The lady testified that she deliberate to stop the military after West’s harassment.
West’s punishment after being discovered responsible is receiving a written reprimand in his army personnel file. He was additionally fined greater than $92,000 after beforehand dealing with dishonorable discharge and potential jail time.
In court docket, West admitted to his actions and apologized to the sufferer, including that he had “failed” his colleagues.
His protection crew argued that West’s dismissal from the army would hurt his spouse and kids.
West is among the many first circumstances to be prosecuted in entrance of a court docket martial after new army justice reforms handed beneath Joe Biden’s presidential administration. Sexual harassment is now a legal offense beneath the Uniform Code of Navy Justice (UCMJ).
Navy justice advocates celebrated West’s conviction as a historic first step in supporting victims of sexual violence.
The decision in opposition to West “represents a essential milestone in our ongoing battle to finish sexual harassment and assault within the army”, stated Josh Connolly, senior vice-president of Defend Our Defenders, a company working to finish sexual violence within the US armed forces. “I commend this courageous service member for her extraordinary braveness in coming ahead to carry Lt Col West accountable.
“This case, one of many first prosecuted beneath new sexual harassment legal offense legal guidelines, sends a transparent message that sexual misconduct won’t be tolerated in our armed forces.”
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