Post by paulschlimm on Apr 26, 2007 3:19:25 GMT -5
A Fort Eustis drill sergeant accused of forcing a male trainee to dress as Superman and simulate sexual acts will spend six months in prison for having inappropriate personal relationships with three male trainees in his command.
Staff Sgt. Edmundo Estrada pleaded guilty Monday at his court-martial to three counts of mistreating soldiers, as well as to violating regulations not to develop relationships with subordinates.
Estrada said during his court-martial that he asked each of the soldiers to pose for body-building photos, urging them to take their shirts off and wear spandex shorts. He also pressured them to act out torture scenes from an unnamed movie.
In addition to being sentenced to six months in military prison, Estrada also was given a bad-conduct discharge and a reduction in rank.
In an affidavit filed April 16, 2006, a soldier had accused Estrada of sexually assaulting him. He said he came to Estrada complaining of depression, and that Estrada instructed him to dress in spandex and pretend to be Superman, weakened by Kryptonite and undergoing sexual torture. The soldier said Estrada photographed him during these acts and threatened him if he refused to participate.
One trainee who testified Monday said he approached Estrada for help after he was caught cheating on an exam. The man said he became depressed, nervous and withdrawn after his interactions with Estrada.
Estrada testified he told the private he would help if the soldier re-created torture scenes from a movie. He threatened to stop helping and move the soldier out of the barracks unless he posed for the pictures, according to testimony.
The judge repeatedly questioned why Estrada violated strict regulations prohibiting drill sergeants from personal interactions with trainees.
At one point, Estrada said the photographs were to improve the trainees’ self-esteem. Later, he said he took the photos to degrade them.
Estrada acknowledged acting improperly as a drill sergeant.
“I hurt them more than I helped them,” he said.
Note: Maybe I can bring the guy a new cape when I report in to Leavenworth.
Staff Sgt. Edmundo Estrada pleaded guilty Monday at his court-martial to three counts of mistreating soldiers, as well as to violating regulations not to develop relationships with subordinates.
Estrada said during his court-martial that he asked each of the soldiers to pose for body-building photos, urging them to take their shirts off and wear spandex shorts. He also pressured them to act out torture scenes from an unnamed movie.
In addition to being sentenced to six months in military prison, Estrada also was given a bad-conduct discharge and a reduction in rank.
In an affidavit filed April 16, 2006, a soldier had accused Estrada of sexually assaulting him. He said he came to Estrada complaining of depression, and that Estrada instructed him to dress in spandex and pretend to be Superman, weakened by Kryptonite and undergoing sexual torture. The soldier said Estrada photographed him during these acts and threatened him if he refused to participate.
One trainee who testified Monday said he approached Estrada for help after he was caught cheating on an exam. The man said he became depressed, nervous and withdrawn after his interactions with Estrada.
Estrada testified he told the private he would help if the soldier re-created torture scenes from a movie. He threatened to stop helping and move the soldier out of the barracks unless he posed for the pictures, according to testimony.
The judge repeatedly questioned why Estrada violated strict regulations prohibiting drill sergeants from personal interactions with trainees.
At one point, Estrada said the photographs were to improve the trainees’ self-esteem. Later, he said he took the photos to degrade them.
Estrada acknowledged acting improperly as a drill sergeant.
“I hurt them more than I helped them,” he said.
Note: Maybe I can bring the guy a new cape when I report in to Leavenworth.