Female soldiers from Fort Hood, the largest U.S. military base, testified against a sexual assault prevention officer, a sergeant, who apparently recruited them for a prostitution ring at the Central Texas post.
The U.S. military began the trial after a soldier was accused of using the escort services. The army prosecutors said that the prostitution ring was set up to lure economically distressed female soldiers, reports the Associated Press.
The soldiers testified that Master Sgt Brad Grimes, a 17-year Army veteran used their services. Several others military personnel are suspected of involvement in the sexual misconduct.
Daniel Conway, Grimes' lawyer said that another soldier suggested that the army veteran could "hook up" with the escorts, but he never used their service, reports Reuters.
"This is a case where the cart was put before the horse, where a press release was issued before any adequate investigation was done," Conway told Reuters.
His lawyer asserted that his client was a victim of biased political pressure and the army high command's efforts to weed out sexual assault cases. Conway asked the military judge Col. Gregory Gross to drop his client Grimes out of the case, reported Associated Press.
"At the end of the day, Master Sgt. Grimes chose to do the right thing and not have sex with that young lady," Conway said, according to the Associated Press. "This is really a case about sex parties, and Master Sgt. Grimes had nothing to do with that."
The authorities also said that they are investigating another soldier, Sergeant First Class Gregory McQueen, who operated the escort services with at least three female soldiers.
Conway asked the military judge Col. Gregory Gross to drop his client Grimes out of the case.
