Army sergeant guilty of patronizing prostitute

FORT HOOD, Texas, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A Texas soldier was convicted in a court-martial of adultery and patronizing a prostitute after allegations he helped run a military prostitution ring.

Army Master Sgt. Brad Grimes was ordered reprimanded and reduced in rank by one pay grade, from E-8 to E-7, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported Wednesday. The sentence is far lighter than what Grimes could have faced -- a year in confinement, reduction in rank to private and a bad conduct discharge.

Grimes was accused of taking part in a scheme to force young, cash-strapped female privates to serve as prostitutes. The ring was allegedly headed by Sgt. First Class Gregory McQueen, who was serving as his battalion's sexual assault prevention officer at Fort Hood, the report said.

McQueen has not been charged though one female private has accused him of abusive sexual contact while he "interviewed" her to become part of the sex trade. He's been suspended from his duties as sexual assault prevention officer but remains on active duty.

During his court martial, a female private said she met Grimes in a motel room off base and he paid her $100 for sex. Grimes denied the allegation, saying he went to the motel to "hook up" but decided not to have sex with the woman and never paid her any money.