FOXNews.com: Army general accused of sexual misconduct

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Army general accused of sexual misconduct Sep 26th 2012, 21:08 An Army general is facing several military-misconduct charges including forcible sodomy and sexual misconduct while overseas, the 18th Airborne Corps announced Wednesday. The officer, identified as Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, also faces at least six other charges including possession of alcohol and pornography while deployed, misuse of a government travel charge card and maltreating subordinates, Col. Kevin Arata said during a press conference at Fort Bragg, N.C. "Brig Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair has been charged with multiple violations of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice," the colonel said. Before Sinclair faces a trial or court martial, the military will conduct what's known as an Article 32 hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed. No date has been set for the public hearing. Sinclair was sent back early from a deployment in Afghanistan where he served as the deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters. Arata decline to get into the specifics of the charges, saying "it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time," given the nature of the proceedings. The term "forcible sodomy" refers to a few sexual acts. According to military lawyers, sodomy is defined as contact between a sex organ and any part of another person's body.  "It's a fall back charge," said a military lawyer who asked to remain anonymous and is unfamiliar with the specifics in Sinclair's case. He also said for cases in which rape would be difficult to prove lawyers often opt for the "forcible sodomy" charge.  The lawyer cited a hypothetical case of forced oral sex in which forcible sodomy would be easier to prove than rape or sexual assault because there is less evidence the accused forced himself on someone. Sinclair began his Army career in 1985 when commissioned as an infantry officer from the Reserve Officer Training Corps.  He has a bachelor's degree in political science from West Virginia University, a master's from Central Michigan University  and a master's in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Sinclair has been deployed to combat in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan and has won numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal.

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