Another Air Force instructor under investigation is headed to an Article 32 hearing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland this morning.
Staff Sgt. Eddy Soto of the 323rd Training Squadron is accused of rape and sexual assault in the case of one former trainee and of sexual assault against another. He also is accused of lying to officials and committing adultery, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The Article 32 hearing is the equivalent of a civilian grand jury hearing, at which testimony and evidence are presented. An investigating officer will hear the case and recommend whether to take the charges to court-martial.
Soto is one of 19 instructors under investigation in the sex scandal, which has grown to include up to 45 alleged victims – all female trainees.
Five instructors have been convicted; the court-martial of a sixth instructor was postponed three weeks ago to allow time for the Dept. of Defense to analyze cell phone evidence.
