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Airman pleads to indecent assault
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Air Force staff sergeant, assigned to the 532nd Training Squadron, pleaded guilty in a general court-martial to two instances of failing to obey a lawful order or regulation, two instances of extortion, and one instance of indecent assault.
The court, convened by 14th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. William Shelton, was held here July 26. The court sentenced Staff Sgt. Jesus Garciaruiz to a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 30 months and reduction in rank to airman basic.
As a result of the court-martial, Sergeant Garciaruiz has a federal conviction on his record and must register as a sex offender in his state of residency.
According to the record of trial, Sergeant Garciaruiz failed to adhere to a no-contact order and an Air Education and Training Command instruction by having an unprofessional relationship with a training student. He also attempted to extort money from an activeduty officer assigned to his unit.
Also according to the record, Sergeant Garciaruiz unlawfully attempted to extort inappropriate behavior from a second victim. He also committed an indecent assault upon a female assigned to Airman pleads to indecent assault Vandenberg. Agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 804, investigated the case.
Capt. Andrew Kalavanos, circuit trial counsel assigned to the Western Circuit Judiciary, Travis AFB, Calif., represented the government along with assistant trial counsel Capt. Anthony Scalice, 30th Space Wing Judge Advocate's office. Lance Sigmon, civilian counsel, and Capt. Robert Stirk, area defense counsel, Edwards AFB, Calif., represented Sergeant Garciaruiz. Lt. Col. Nancy Paul, a military judge from the Western Judicial Circuit imposed the sentence.