Drill Sergeant Convicted of Assault
A military jury acquitted a drill sergeant of sexually assaulting a female trainee at Aberdeen Proving Ground and committing adultery with another. But the panel convicted Staff Sgt. Herman Gunter of obstructing an investigation into other inappropriate behavior. The jury of five men and two women, which deliberated about three hours, must now decide Gunter’s punishment after a sentencing hearing set for Monday. He could get up to 12 years in prison. Gunter was cleared of four of the seven counts against him: indecent assault, adultery, cruelty and maltreatment, and engaging in a forbidden social relationship with one of the two alleged victims. He was convicted of inappropriate behavior with the other woman by attempting to hug and kiss her. The panel also convicted Gunter of two counts of obstructing justice by calling both women and telling them not to talk to investigators.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 17, 1997 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday August 17, 1997 Home Edition Part A Page 3 Metro Desk 2 inches; 46 words Type of Material: Correction
Assault case--A headline in Saturday’s editions misstated the outcome of a case involving an Army drill sergeant accused of sexually assaulting a female trainee at Maryland’s Aberdeen Proving Ground. Staff Sgt. Herman Gunter was acquitted on the main charges, but convicted of inappropriate behavior and obstructing justice.