U.S. News

Misconduct charges tossed against trainer

Published: Feb. 21, 2013 at 2:21 PM

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A military judge in Texas has tossed charges against an Air Force trainer charged with sexual misconduct, saying evidence in the case was obtained illegally.

Col. Donald Eller Jr., said evidence against Tech. Sgt. Samuel Wicks was taken from a cellphone stolen by Wicks' girlfriend, the San Antonio Express-News reported Thursday.

Tech Sgt. Ronda Roberts gave the cellphone to investigators after she discovered it contained improper texts by Wicks, a basic training supervisor at Lackland Air Force Base, to three other women. Investigators then reviewed texts on the phone without obtaining a warrant.

Wicks was the ninth of 32 instructors at Lackland to be tried on charges of sexual misconduct. He is the first to have charges dropped.

However, he is not necessarily out of trouble. He could still be discharged from the service, although he could appeal such an action.

Prosecutors have until Friday to appeal the judge's ruling.

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional U.S. News Stories
Top News Filipino workers told to limit their activities in Taiwan MANILA, May 19 (UPI) -- Philippine authorities have told Filipino workers to limit their activities in Taiwan following the Philippine Coast Guard's slaying of a Taiwanese fisherman. Obama cheers on grads at black men's college White House aide Pfeiffer: IRS actions inexcusable Menendez: Examine tax-exempt claims by political partisans McConnell: White House operating 'culture of intimidation'	Entertainment News Christine White, 'Twilight Zone' icon, dead at 86 WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Television actress Christine White has died in Washington, her representatives announced. She was 86. Singer Trace Adkins wins 'Celebrity Apprentice' 'Doctor Who' to return for eighth season 'Star Trek Into Darkness' opens with $70.55 million 30,000 flock to Petaluma, Calif., for 'American Graffiti' festival
Business News Japan's Cabinet Office makes upward revision TOKYO, May 20 (UPI) -- The Japanese economy is picking up slowly, the Cabinet Office said Monday in its upwardly revised May monthly assessment report. Britain weighing gasoline price-fixing probe of BP, Shell, Statoil Nikkei tops 15,300, highest in 65 months Auto Outlook: Is the driving boom over; domestic cars quality up Consumer Corner: Digitizing eating out	Odd News Father, son graduate college together ATLANTA, May 19 (UPI) -- A man and his son graduated together from Morehouse College in Georgia Sunday, with the son saying he is "proud of [his dad] as a man" for going back to school. 911 'butt dial' call leads to Fresno car burglars Police called to Starbucks over diaper-changing flap Pony adopts orphaned lamb in Wales Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade surprises perseverant fan at her prom