Three National Guard soldiers convicted after sexually assaulting woman in hotel room
Three US National Guard soldiers pleaded guilty to misdemeanour charges after admitting to sexually assaulting a woman in 2017.
Kentucky-based guard members Anthony Tubolino, Tyler Hart and Jacob Ruth reached plea agreements on lesser charges with prosecutors in Calloway County. They'll each face year-long prison sentences when they are formally sentenced by a circuit court judge in April, according to reports.
Austin Dennis, who was charged with first-degree sodomy, requested a jury trial, which will be scheduled for 27 May. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
In 2017, Kentucky State Police officers responded to a report of a sexual assault at Murray-Calloway County Hospital on 3 June 2017. The victim was older than 18 years old but younger than 21, according to Calloway Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Foust.
All four suspects were brought into custody that day.
State police in Calloway County arrested the four National Guard members who had been preparing for weekend deployment, drinking in a hotel room where they reportedly got the victim drunk and assaulted her.
Anthony Tubolino initially was charged with rape, sodomy, unlawful transaction with a minor and driving under the influence. He pleaded down to lesser charges of sexual misconduct, though the unlawful transaction charge and a separate DUI charge remained.
Tyler Hart was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse but pleaded down to two counts of sexual misconduct.
Jacob Ruth also was arrested on charges of first-degree sodomy but pleaded down to sexual misconduct.
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