WASHINGTON — A drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood has been charged with sexual assault and harassment, among other crimes, officials at the military base said on Thursday.
Staff Sgt. Angel Sanchez will face at Article 32 hearing — the military's equivalent of a grand jury — on Tuesday, according to Fort Leonard Wood spokeswoman Tiffany Wood.
In an email, Wood said Sanchez has been charged with "multiple acts of committing sexual assault and assault; attempting to commit indecent conduct and sexual contact; failing to obey a lawful general regulation; and harassment."
Under the military's justice system, before charges can be referred to trial, the case must first be considered in an Article 32 investigative hearing. In that process, an investigating officer will consider the case and then recommend whether there should be a court-martial or some other action.
"After the results of the Article 32 are evaluated, a recommendation will be provided to the general court-martial convening authority who will decide the disposition of the case," Wood said.
Sanchez did not immediately respond to a message, left with base officials, seeking comment on the charges.
The case comes after lawmakers in Congress — led by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. — have pushed the Pentagon to crack down on sexual assaults in the military.
