One of the three 82nd Airborne Division soldiers charged with having sex for money on a military-themed gay pornography Web site has accepted a plea agreement, division officials told the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer on Friday.

Pfc. Richard Ashley is scheduled to appear in front of a military judge Thursday to finalize the agreement, Sgt. 1st Class Dean Welch, an 82nd Airborne spokesman, told the paper.

Details of the plea agreement were not released.

The Observer reported that the two other soldiers, Pfc. Wesley K. Mitten and Pvt. Kagen B. Mullen, are scheduled to stand trial in May. Division officials said it is unclear whether Mitten and Mullen also are seeking plea agreements.

All three were charged with pandering, wrongfully engaging in sexual acts over the Internet for money and sodomy, the division said last month, according to the report. Mullen also was charged with adultery.

Unlike a general court-martial, a special court-martial does not require an Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a grand jury. The maximum punishment is also limited to a year in prison, forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one year, reduction in rank to E-1 and a bad-conduct discharge, according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Four other soldiers received nonjudicial punishment for the same offenses, the Observer wrote. The Army is not required to disclose the names of soldiers punished under Article 15.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...&article=36672

Interesting stuff, i wonder what could happen if these guys get charged and 'convicted?' of the sodomy charges, would seem to me that might be a nice legal case against the military for wrongfull termination.

Regards,

Lee