Cadet suspected in online porn/ Air Force investigates senior accused

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 2, 2003 | by PAM ZUBECK

An Air Force Academy senior cadet is being investigated for allegedly using his computer and the academy's network to arrange "unseemly sexual activity," officials said Thursday.

In a copyrighted piece, Denver television station KMGH 7 NEWS reported on its Web site that the cadet organized group sex sessions through the Internet.

"The sites promote group sex among as many as two dozen men and one woman," 7 NEWS reported. "The cadet not only arranged the sessions, but participated in them and appeared in pornographic photos, which are posted on the Internet."

Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, acting superintendent and commandant of cadets, confirmed Thursday the "inappropriate activity deals with a Web site run by this cadet."

"The Web site deals with sexually related material, and this Web site was used to organize sexual activities in Denver and Colorado Springs," Weida said at a news conference.

The cadet was not identified, and Weida did not say whether he's attending classes or on leave.

Weida said there is a possibility the suspected misuse of government equipment and Internet services involves another cadet, but the academy doesn't have "solid evidence" yet.

He said it's not clear whether the alleged activities were illegal or merely against Air Force policy.

The probe, which he said will be finished before a decision on whether the cadet will graduate, comes on the heels of the worst sex scandal in the school's history.

Four investigations by the Air Force and Defense Department have been prompted by allegations from more than 40 former and current female cadets they were sexually assaulted but deterred from reporting or punished. One inquiry will begin soon with the appointment of a congressionally mandated seven-member panel next week.

7 NEWS brought the Web site allegation to the academy's attention Monday.

Academy officials seized the cadet's computer Wednesday, and Weida advised the cadet wing and staff of the pending case.

Citing unnamed sources in Washington, D.C., the station reported the cadet would be booted from the Air Force, but Weida said the investigation's findings will determine what action will be taken.

Weida said the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations' case will look at "how he used our Internet, where this Web site was, how access to this Web site was gained and whether or not there was any compromise" in security.

The case surfaced as Air Force leaders met with upperclassmen Tuesday to bolster their outlook on their futures in the Air Force.

Despite the allegations, Weida, who took command April 10, said he's not discouraged.

"Excellence is a journey, it's not a destination," he said, "so this little data point tells us that in our journey of excellence, we have a little farther to go, but we'll get there."

In an advisory to cadets Wednesday night, Weida assured he'll "take appropriate action once the investigation is complete."

"Don't be further discouraged by this story," he told them. "And don't allow your personal goals to get sidetracked by public scrutiny of past activity by a few cadets who failed to internalize our institutional core values."

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