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Lackland instructor found guilty on all charges

Reported by: Lauren Lea
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Updated: 7/21/2012 9:30 pm
UPDATE:        Judge sentences Luis Walker to 20 years of confinement, Walker has been dishonorably discharged.

SAN ANTONIO -- An instructor at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, one of the nation's busiest training bases, was found guilty on all charges of sexually assaulting ten trainees. After more than six hours of deliberations, Staff Sergeant Luis Walker was convicted of rape, multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and obstruction of justice.

The lead prosecutor in the court martial called Staff Sergeant Walker "a predator" and "a wolf in sheep's clothing" during closing arguments on Friday.

The defense pointed out inconsistencies in testimony and that there was a lack of DNA evidence in the case against Walker.

The seven court members, or jury, found SSgt. Walker not guilty of two allegations of flirting with and making inappropriate comments to trainees, but upheld the overall charges against him. He was convicted on all 28 counts he faced, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault.

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.

The sentencing phase begins Saturday morning. He could get up to life in prison and a dishonorable discharge.

Six other instructors are currently under investigation and four others are in the court-martial process, Col. Polly Kenny said.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of News 4 WOAI (WOAI.com)

Guest - 7/22/2012 3:13 AM
0 Votes
with all those others under investigation, seems like they had a culture of corruption and enabling each other. birds of a feather ... Hopefully the military continues to take rape seriously, CNN reported a few months ago rape was not being taken seriously at all.

joedomino - 7/21/2012 11:31 PM
0 Votes
I guessed 20 years and i was right. 2 per act.

Briannas - 7/21/2012 9:17 PM
1 Vote
I do not understand, all of this going on, and the First Sgt. never knew? What kind of outfit was this?? The First Sgt. knows everything, and keeps his commander briefed. Is there a breakdown in leadership? What would General LeMay do? Or General Whip Wilson. Lots of folks would be looking for jobs!!
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