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Billy Calzada / AP
Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Walker is shown Friday arriving for the fourth day of his trial at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
An Air Force instructor was sentenced to 20 years in prison Saturday after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in a sweeping sex scandal that rocked one of the nation's busiest military training centers, The Associated Press reported.
A military jury at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio found Staff Sgt. Luis Walker guilty Friday night on all 28 charges he faced, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault. A judge consolidated those charges Saturday into 20, but that didn't affect Walker's maximum sentence. He could have received life in prison
Walker is among 12 Lackland Air Force Base instructors investigated for sexual misconduct toward at least 31 female trainees, and he faced the most serious counts among the six instructors charged in a sex scandal that rocked one of the nation's busiest training bases.
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Walker submitted a written statement during the sentencing hearing, but he also spoke from a podium directly to the jury while his two sons, ages 7 and 4, looked on quietly.
"I ask for my family's sake, for my two boys right there," Walker said, wheeling around and sobbing. "I ask that I am allowed to have a future with them."
Walker tried to mention having taken a polygraph test, but the prosecution objected before he could divulge the results.
"I promise you," he said of any sentence, "I'll accept it humbly and with the commitment to move forward positively."
Walker showed no emotion Friday as the verdict by a seven-member military jury was read.
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Prosecutors say from October 2010 through January 2011, Walker sexually assaulted or had improper sexual or personal contact with at least 10 female recruits. Lackland is where all Air Force recruits go through basic training.
Several of Walker's alleged victims testified during his court-martial, including one who described how Walker lured her into an office and sexually assaulted her on a bed, ignoring her pleas to stop. The Associated Press does not usually identify sexual assault victims.
Five of the women testified Saturday at Walker's sentencing, saying they couldn't sleep or maintain relationships with men after the assaults. They said Walker's actions eroded their trust in authority and affected their performance at work.
"It's gotten to where I had anger issues even at work," said one, who had left the military. "If anyone makes even the slightest sexual reference, I go off. I have zero self-control."
The other four are still in the military. One said it affected her tour in Afghanistan because she felt uncomfortable being alone with men.
Related: Air Force sex scandal: Instructor convicted of rape
"It's made it extremely hard to interact with authority figures," she said. "During my tour in Afghanistan, I was a little bit more scared of everything. I can't work with certain individuals just since they remind me of Staff Sgt. Walker."
Another said her 15-year-old sister was interested in joining the Air Force, but she "absolutely" wouldn't allow it.
The women told jurors during the trial that Walker gained their trust to get them alone in his office or an empty dormitory, where he then forced them into kissing, touching or intercourse. The alleged sexual misconduct among instructors at the base apparently began in 2009, but the first woman didn't come forward until last year. The women who testified against Walker said they didn't tell anybody at first because they feared being booted from the Air Force.
But at least one said her career was destroyed nonetheless.
"I don't enjoy the military anymore," she said during Saturday's sentencing. "I don't want to be in it. I'm scared to open my door to anyone."
According to prosecutors, Walker had sexual intercourse with four of the 10 female recruits. He was also accused of making flirtatious or sexually suggestive comments, sending inappropriate text messages and sometimes groping his recruits.
Prosecutors also accused Walker of forcing five recruits to engage in sexual acts with him by threatening their military careers, and they said he intimidated two of the women into lying about his alleged misconduct.
The defense noted that none of the victims had any record of receiving treatment or medication for anxiety, even though two said Saturday that they had seen doctors and taken medication.
Herbert O'Connor, Walker's stepfather, said Walker grew up in a tough part of Brooklyn and had talked of joining the Air Force since he was 14.
"All of his dreams are shattered and our dreams because I was so proud of him and the career he made in the Air Force," O'Connor said.
Walker's wife of eight years, Yeimi Walker, also cried during her testimony. She said her sons didn't understand what was happening to their father and she didn't plan to tell them for as long as she could.
"He's all we have," she said, noting that Walker supports the family as well as her sister and grandparents with his Air Force salary. Speaking directly to the jury, she said "spare at least some of his time in the sentence. I don't want my boys to grow up without a father."
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press and Reuters.
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Leave a Comment:
from the article "He was also accused of making flirtatious or sexually suggestive comments, sending inappropriate text messages and sometimes groping his recruits."
So, what exactly is the crime for that in any position? Clinton used his position of power to have sex with an intern. Was that a crime?
He said. She said. She gets even.
SHE SAID NO.
This has nothing to do with Clinton, and everything to do with young trainees who are often away from home for the first time. They are separated from family and friends and often only able to call home once a week. They are made to depend on their drill instructors, and when those drill instructors use their positions to garner sexual favors, it is a crime that it too often not prosecuted. Now it is, and the sentence is just.
There are any number of occasions when it is fine to make an incident about politics. This is not one of them.
Soooooo - let me get this straight - you are condoning those actions and see nothing wrong with them? I hope your wife and/or girlfriend/boyfriend see your post and show the appropriate appreciation for your view.
Ian, you are a complete idiot if you don't see the difference between a willing participate and a rape victim. Monica encouraged Clinton. These women had no choice in the matter. Grow up
Guilty on all 28 charges he faced, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault. He could have received life in prison. This wasn't just a little bit of flirting, and I think he got off way too easy.
Ian...his crime was the rape of 5 women. His crime was abusing his position of authority to sexually abuse several other women. His crime was threatening and coercing recruits, to do his bidding outside of the business of military training. The fact that he is asking for mercy because he has learned his lesson is just laughable.....how much mercy did he show his recruits. The fact that this wife showed no empathy toward the women her husband raped is just staggering. The fact that she seems ok with her husbands history of rape is just a bit of a mind boggle. The fact that she has set through his court martial, with her sons present and believes that her husband should have any influence in raising boys to be men is so perplexing that I just can't imagine how she manages to parent at all. Of course she is more concerned with who will work to support her and her family, perhaps she should join the military and replace that pay check herself. Perhaps her future should be at the mercy of an unscrupulous, self-serving, manipulative punk.
I spent almost 8 years in the Air Force, and was honorably discharged. Wth regards to the flirting and texts, I can tell you that the military has laws under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which prohibit fraternization between officers, and enlisted, and officers/NCO's and their subordinates.
On top of that, he clearly committed numerous forcible rapes. The paltry 20-year sentence shows me that the military is still not serious about rape. He should have gotten at least 20 years PER RAPE, or just life.
In addition, unlike the civilian world, the military actually prosecutes adultery, which is also an offense under the UCMJ.
Kevin C, you said it right! He got off way to easy, he should of got 20 yrs. per count of rape.
Good post too, txmom. The wife seemed more concerned about losing her families income than her husbands despicable behavior.
The article didn't say anything about his career was he court martialed, loss of pay, etc.? I'm sure that's not all he got. At least dishonorable discharge.
His power and influence led him to total corruption. Anybody who gets ahead by making others suffer is barely human at best.
This guy had no conscience or feeling for others outside himself.
He is ignorant and arrogant. He shouldn't get anything he wants anymore.
He proved he has no heart and no honor!
stc1993, to answer your final questions:
The whole proceeding (trial) is called a court martial, so yes, he was court martialed, and he was found guilty.
Although they did not bother to say it, I can say with certainty that he also received the following punishments:
Having retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years service, I have no sympathy for this scumbag individual whatsoever, and he deserves everything he got, and then some!. As a recruit instructor and a NCO, this man violated a sacred trust to teach and guide those young people under his care. He not only took advantage of and destroyed the lives of many of those same people, he also did the same to the members of his own family. I personally cannot fathom why his wife can speak of him the way she does.
He needs to do HARD TIME at Leavenworth, one of the most inhospitable places in the U.S.A. A predator is a predator, and I hope his wife and children can someday REALLY come to terms with the fact that he is one of the lowest forms of human being that god ever created.
It is sad when women who willing join the military and then are subjected to this type of behavior. Twenty years ago I worked for the AF as a civilian paralegal and if this man had been an officer, he would never have been charged. He would have been given a slap on the wrist and told to resign his commission or if he had enough time, be allowed to retire. I'm glad this man is being punished, but there should be equal justice under the law not based on rank.
I feel sorry for his family, but he should have thought of them before he decided to break the law.
no sympathy for this puke
CREEP. Now he gets raped.. Hope he likes men as well...
Lol, rape is non existent in Military prisons.
"Herbert O'Connor, Walker's stepfather, said Walker grew up in a tough part of Brooklyn and hadtalked of joining the Air Force since he was 14." Tough part?i guess you can take a punk out of the ghetto but you can never take the ghetto out of a punk!
Rusty, I just clicked the up check to give you the star. How right you are.
It's high time that people in power stop using it to manipulate others. Priest raping children, prominent football coach raping boys at Penn ST. Did this guy not have a Commanding Officer over the stretch of time that he was raping women?
Glad the guy's paying, but the military is a culture where we covered each other's asses, but not that kind of sick @!$%#.
Why would you star rusty? Since when does it take some "ghetto" for someone in a position of power to abuse it for sexual purposes? Did the 5 other instructors also come from the "ghetto"? Or do you suppose that's just something wrong with people, in general. As if people raised on the good part of town don't do these things.
No sympathy. His wife is an idiot for asking such request. She should be running from this trash. I hope he NEVER gets out of prison. Complete disgrace. I rather get Obama a second term than see 1 rapist go free.
Remy Bink
WTF does President Obama have to do with this?????
He's raped our country--I think to the tune of 6.5 trillion.
He's probably raped countless generations to come.
That's rape in my book.
This is off topic, but where was the outrage while W was bleeding us dry with his two unfunded wars? I know. You right wingers don't even want to discuss that. It's all Obama's fault. But, No sympathy for this guy. I hope he gets raped in Leavenworth.
The sad thing is I actually think you believe that Obama did this...
I feel sorry for his little sons,,,,but that's it!
Rape stays with you your whole life!!!!!! He may have to do 20 years, and possibly get out after 12 to 15 years, but the victims of his crime with take this to their graves!!!!!!!!!!
The best thing about this is that he will be in a military prison, where he will be treated like any other criminal, and with very little contact with other convicts or the outside world. He knew the consequences of his actions and rolled the dice.
omega1, This what I found from www . af . mil AFI31-205 remove spaces in address.
AFI31-205 Chapter 10 "10.10.3. Inmates with an approved sentence to confinement of 20 years or more, but less than 30years, will be reviewed by the AFC&PB initially at 9 months and annually beginning 3 years from the date of confinement."
AFC&PB is the Air Force Clemency & Parole Board, So he could possibly be paroled in as little as 3 yrs. They can also earn good time days up to 10 per month. AFI31-205 Chapter 5
bsbfankaren he will not necessarily be in a military prison the USAF uses federal prisons to house prisoners.
AFI31-205 Chapter 1
"1.2.2.1. (REPLACE). The installation commander may authorize use of civilian facilities (federal, state, county, city and private contract) to incarcerate pre-trial detainees and inmates. Facilities must be approved or accredited by one of the following: American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, or by the state or federal governments. (A list of the federally approved facilities may be obtained from the nearest US Marshal’s office.)"
Agreed Omega, I couldn't help but feel a little angry that his 4 and 7 year old sons where in the court room, he used them to get sympathy from the jury, something I find disgusting. Crying out to not be taken away from his kids....like he deserves that. Please, I bet the fathers of those girls would love to have the ability to plea to keep him in longer. Rape stays with you forever and to use your authority in such a way that shames not just your victims but the country you represent is reprehensible.
Just curious about those 10 days per month good time days...
Are they considered days taken off the end of the sentence or are they considered time served? It makes a difference wouldn't it? Example: If he has served 2 1/2 years of "good time" then that amounts to 180 days accrued. If it's time served, then he'd be eligible for parole at appx 2 years and 6 months of actual in facility time. Is that how it works? I think the notion of parole eligibility shouldn't even come up until one has served at least half their sentence. Otherwise, what's the point of even handing down a sentence that somebody later can just wave away....poof? Why not just hand down a sentence that reads "for as long as the parole board decides is adequate"?
Speaking of which, anyone know if ANYBODY serves a full sentence these days? I'm not against early parole it's just that it seems like EVERYBODY gets out early.
Anyway...my Democrat 2 cents worth.... lol
Don the way I read it "it is included in his estimated release date." I don't think it is included in his parole hearing date. It did say the PB takes in consideration his GTD's for parole eligibility.
This guy ought to receive life in prison for the many lives he has ruined by raping and sexually assaulting them. He begged for time to be with his family and children - he made that choice already - in life, we don't get to make the mistakes then still reap the rewards. His wife begged for her husband - why would she want that monster near her children or her herself? Knowing he had raped and assaulted all sorts of women. It is disgusting to me how people do all sorts of horrendous things then expect to be let go and lead normal lives. What ever happened to repurcussions to actions?
He had choices, and he chose to rape and assault women because he had power over them. As a rape survivor myself, I know this will haunt these women for life. Yes there is therapy and medication, but the memories and the fears never leave. If we are forced to live with a life sentence of what was done, the perpetrators should too.
He's not getting paroled. General guidelines are the same for everyone, but you can rest assured he'll be denied for at least a decade, and will likely end up serving the majority of his sentence.
Just because someone is eligible for parole does not mean they will get it, just that they get a hearing. From what I understand, it is very hard to get paroled from a military prison; they are not like civilian prisons, including prisoner behavior.
But you are right if that is applied to regular criminals; they get off way too easy and many of them are paroled when they should never be free again.
Feel bad for the guys wife and kids but not at all for him. Seriously you are in the armed forces and you think it is OK to force yourself on women? To rape them? And not just 1 but at least 10 and probably a lot more. Life in prison IS THE BREAK you are seeking. It should be worse.
Ian B,,,you little troll, take your unclean spirit and peddle it somewhere else,,,,,,I can only hope that someday someone commits a crime against you that will affect you for the rest of your life,,,,,,,,
Dropping him out of an airplane without a parachute from 20,000 feet would be appropriate. At least while freefalling he would actually regret his actions.
People like this anus never regret their acts or have any sympathy for their victims - they DO regret that they got caught and the consequences. That said, I like your suggestion. Man, would that ever make anyone considering doing a similar act think twice!
But you would have the ACLU on you in a nano second screaming about how many of his civil rights that were violated and never mentioning the civil rights of the victims. I feel for his family but he got off light--- I AM THE PROUD FATHER OF CAREER SOLDIER and wonder why we have men in charge of women with so many women in the Military now. Put women in charge of women and take temptation out of the picture for normal people and keep predators like this guy away from women altogether.
It should not be necessary. A big part of the military is self-discipline and self-control, which includes temptations. If they are unwilling or unable to control themselves they should never be in the military to begin with.
It is amazing how contrite animals like this become when they are faced with the consequences of their preying upon innocent victims! I have no sympathy for him - he should have thought of his family before he committed the acts! I do not feel he is sorry for his acts or for the destruction he has brought upon his family, but is trying to gain sympathy in an effort to lessen the penalty he has to pay. Apparently, he had a history of bullying what he considered weaker individuals for his own twisted aberrations. I hope he is put into a cell with the biggest, meanest, most muscled up, sexually deviant and sadistic con in the prison. I will bet he will then experience some of the fear and revulsion he caused his victims!
He wants a reduced penalty for the sake of his kids. In my view, for the sake of his kids, they should be placed with another family. That taken care of, the judge could sentence him according to his crime (which should at least involve whacking his pee pee).
This guy really has a set of b— — _s to ask for a shorter sentence so he can raise his sons. Is his wife one of his triumphs too? His sons do not need a father figure like they have. What a disappointment for them as they look for a father to show them how to be good sons and men.
It shouldn't matter what sex the abuser is, each one should be tag as sex offenders, do their time, have a lobotomy where sex isn't even in their thoughts. Authority figures who use abuse of any type to succeed in getting what they want will always use aggression regardless of situation. Plus, it doesn't have to be an authority figure, any man or woman who gets off on abusing anyone or anything has earned their tag and lobotomy.
There are alot of women breathing a sigh of satisfaction over this. Do not believe this is an isolated incident. There's a certain MSgt that I once knew that comes to mind.
Well, here's another heterosexual with raging hormones run amok.
Canyon....I suppose he could have as easily been a homosexual making the same demands on those who report to him....But then we will have to wait and see how that plays out in the near future.
My brother had a saying when he came home from boot camp. "It's who you know or who you blow."
stc1993, this is what they said about "fast tracker" females in the Army.
He was in a position of trust and authority. Misused his position for sexual gratification and disgraced this nation. His sentence is just and should not be lessened for good behavior or other circumstances. There is no rehabilitation for sexual predators. He is now a sex offender and should be watched very closely.
Let me cry a river for this rapist. Now that is over he more then a disgrace so keep his sorry excuse for a Human Being locked up. Some people just never ever get it, period.
This is 2012. Why is this behavior and then court trials such a on-going problem in military academies. The Commandant and maybe the Secretary of the Air Force is responsible. Staff Sergeant Walker and the others should never have been allowed to be assigned to a duty station where this could have occurred. I don't see it as any different that scandals of the 60's or 70's. Aren't the young woman smart enough to report the behavior to someone either anonymously or in person? Hundreds of thousands of borrowed deficit dollars are lost because of "I am scared to report someone".
Yank,
You have obviously never served in the military.
In boot camp the drill instructor is god, These young women were at his mercy. They bore no culpability. It is the recruits motivation to please the drill instructor. This mans actions were despicable. Be begged for mercy at sentencing, well, I think he was showed undeserved leniency in only getting 20 years. He broke the faith, and sullied the honor of all his Air Force fellows.
He apparently know very little about the abuse of power for sexual favors in general. I mean come on, people of all genders and ages have been not telling stuff like this for forever. Even if you don't understand it, you have to recognize how common it is.
Yank, you would be suprised to see how naive these troops are when they first join the military, many of them have never been away from home. These basic trainees are away from their family and friends for the first time realizing the reality of what they just did....enlist. They are being yelled at and conditioned to respect authority and not question authority at all. These girls actually did do something about it or else this scumbag would of still been in his position. I remember leaving bootcamp and calling my TSgt "Sir" all the time which he quickly corrected me. This guy was only a SSGT big deal E-5 picking on the E-1s..big tough guy. Unfortunately sexual harrassment is more prevalent then you realize in the military, I am glad to see these troops had the strength to come forward and put this guy away. It takes more than one voice to make a difference unfortunately and depending on the supervisor it either gets handled or it gets pushed under the rug.
mom a rapist should never help raise children
Air Force.
Old Sarge...are you suggesting that this occurred because he is AF? Don't embarass yourself.
Did he take a polygraph and pass it ?
Irrelevant. Not admissible in court. Not reliable - proven over the years.
Reddog, This was a court martial, not civilian court. The military can allow them if deemed necessary.
polygraphs don't work for sociopaths. They have no conscience.
Don't sweat it girls...
When he gets out in 20 years he won't be interested in women anymore.
Just watch out for your sons though.
Mrs. Walker should be more concerned with the health of her children, and a proper role model for them. This man is not an appropriate role model for children, and is a predatory criminal that needs to be stopped.
His salary should not be the only concern for this mother. She needs help, and so does he. She should treat his circumstances as she would his death, and get on with her life.
Stage One
Reduction in rank to Airman Basic, Forfeiture of all pay and allowances...
If he had died, she'd at least have social security while the children are still in school, and his life insurance policy.
With him in prison, he has nothing.
Her parents are going to have to help with their own social security checks, and maybe get some part-time jobs, if they are of good health. She's going to have to get a job too, and do like other women who are single moms, because while he's behind those bars, that's what she is.
Since she is married to a military serviceman (or former serviceman), she should qualify for some sort of assistance for her family.
Save a bunk for that scum Holmes, they deserve each other. One kills emotionally, one kills literally.
As a retired military wife, I am absolutely appalled that the wife pleaded for lenience so her boys would have a father. You're talking rape here and you want your sons to grow up with this kind of a father? I don't know what's going on in the military nowadays - it's certainly not the military I raised three children in.
Yeah seeing this many times of late when they ask for lenience for their kids sake... The kids will adapt and adjust to no father.
They didn't think about their kids when the did the crime. They should charge him with child abuse as well for the kids had to sit there and hear what their father did.
tynabee - you're right, it's not. These days they actually prosecute rapists, instead of simply hiding the crimes. Military has been as bad as the Catholic Church in it's past.
This type of behavior among TIs has been going on for a long time. I can specifically state since 1975 when I was in Basic Training at Lackland. It also occurs at the service academies and during deployments. Until those who run the military get serious about it, it will not stop. So says this Retired Master Sergeant...
When I was thinking about going into the military, one of my college professors--a former medical officer--hunted me down and spell out to me why I should not do it, and it was because of the rape-is-normal mentality.
Lock him up and throw away the key.
Only twenty years? What a Rip. This guy should have gotten at least Thirty five to forty years. With twenty years he will be out in about eight years with good behavior. Not Right at all. Fire that Judge.
DoD Manual 7730.47-M, Vol. 2, December 7, 2010
Contains a list of UCMJ codes, DIBRS codes
He broke so many codes I don't see how he only got 20 yrs. I counted 10 just what little I looked at the UCMJ code list & he had multiple counts.