General in sex case: Guilty plea on lesser counts

General in sex case: Guilty plea on lesser counts

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — An Army general who admitted to inappropriate relationships with three soldiers who had served under his command pleaded guilty today to a host of lesser charges as prosecutors dropped the most serious – sexual assault counts – as part of a deal. The hearing at Fort Bragg caps the high-profile prosecution of Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair. It comes as the military continues to grapple with revelations of sex crimes in its ranks and political pressure to address the issue. A sentencing hearing for Sinclair – believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. military officer to face court-martial on sexual assault charges – could begin as soon as today.