Devil’s bargain: How sex crime plea deals let these soldiers retire and avoid registries
By Davis Winkie
Aug 4, 01:10 PM
Army Times investigated a series of plea deals that allow senior troops accused of sexual misconduct to retire. Our question: Why? (Composite image by Davis Winkie/Staff)
Capt. Billy Joe Crosby pleaded guilty to simple assault. But he was initially accused of “motorboating” a subordinate during a May 2021 promotion ceremony that she’d begged not to have because he’d announced his intent to place her new rank on her chest using his teeth.
A former command sergeant major, now-Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Murray, pleaded guilty to assault. That came after he was hauled back to the Army via deserter warrant in August 2020 after allegedly forging his clearing paperwork to retire and avoid his second sexual assault court-martial.
Court records reveal the two cases have a common thread that troubles victims, attorneys and advocates alike: each of the accused received a favorable plea deal from the Army allowing them to retire, and neither were convicted of a crime that would require sex offender registration in virtually any state. Though the victims agreed to the plea deals with varying reluctance, they believe the Army left them without a choice.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/08/04/devils-bargain-how-sex-crime-plea-deals-let-these-soldiers-retire-and-avoid-registries/
