A one-time Air Force basic training instructor went on trial today facing two dozen allegations of cruelty and mistreating recruits, as well as sexual assault and forcible sodomy.
The Air Force also lodged two sexual assault charges against Tech. Sgt. Bobby Bass, whose court-martial began this morning at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss.
Prosecutors say the sexual assault cases took place at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, home of Air Force basic training, but few details were available and lawyers for the service couldn't be reached.
So far, at least 14 instructors have gone to trial at Lackland over the past year in a growing sex scandal involving trainers, recruits in basic training and technical school students.
The Air Force said today that 33 instructors have fallen under investigation for illicit contact with 63 recruits and technical school trainees in cases that go back to 2008.
Bass is accused of 16 specifications of cruelty and maltreatment, two specifications of wrongful sexual contact and four specifications of assault while a basic training instructor in 2009.
But there are two other allegations stemming from an overseas deployment from 2007 to 2008. Those charges include forcible sodomy and having an unprofessional relationship.
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