AFA prep student accused of sex assault

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 17, 2004 | by PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE

A 17-year-old girl told Colorado Springs police she was sexually assaulted by an Air Force Academy preparatory school student this weekend.

The report comes as an Air Force team this week begins to examine the prep school, which prepares academy applicants who otherwise might not qualify academically for the academy.

"We're investigating an alleged sexual assault involving a prep school student and a 17-year-old civilian," academy spokeswoman Pam Ancker said Monday. "That's all we can say."

Ancker acknowledged the alleged assault was on academy grounds and that the investigation will determine whether alcohol was involved.

An Air Force investigation last year found 40 percent of the cases of cadets assaulting other cadets investigated at the Air Force Academy during the past decade have involved alcohol, leading to a crackdown.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa Jr. said the teenager reported the incident to Colorado Springs police, who contacted the academy.

"We'll look at who can best handle it," Rosa said.

A police spokeswoman said it's unlikely city police will take the case because they don't have jurisdiction where the incident took place. She said city cops may handle the matter if the academy asks them, however.

The allegation comes as the academy deals with a sexual assault scandal, which arose last year after more than 60 past and current female cadets said the academy ignored their reports and punished some who came forward.

Although figures aren't available for how many allegations have been made at the prep school during the past year, 21 sexual misconduct allegations were reported since Air Force leaders replaced four academy officers and overhauled policies in April in response to the scandal.

One case has resulted in charges. That case happened downtown and was handled by city police. The most recent assaults were in October.

The scandal triggered several investigations, none of which have included the prep school.

Air Force General Counsel Mary Walker reported June 19 her working group found "no systemic acceptance" of sexual assault at the academy and concluded "a separate examination" of the prep school "would be well-advised." The report did not elaborate.

A congressional panel in September concluded sexual assault had become a way of life at the academy, with 142 cases reported from 1993 through 2002, largely because of "a deep chasm of leadership." The Sept. 22 report was silent about the prep school.

Air Force Secretary James Roche on May 28 called for a prep school review, saying, "We don't know if there's anything wrong. We have no idea. I would want to. .. look at the prep school and see if there are issues there."

That review, by an Air Force team of auditors and other officials, begins today, Rosa said.

"They will start this week and take as long as they need," he said. "We've got a list of things. Are they doing what their mission is? Are they doing it as efficiently and effectively as they can?"

The review also will look at budget issues and sexual assault policies and procedures, Rosa said.

During the congressional investigation, a graduate wrote the panel saying she was raped by a prep school cadet, reported it and was raped by two others in reprisal after the first rapist was expelled.

The academy said at the time officials weren't familiar with the case.

Pentagon records show a 1996 report mentioned a similar allegation.

It said a female was "raped while at the prep school; reported perpetrator who has left academy, subsequently gang raped by his friends a year later. Ostracized for reporting first crime -- she has not reported second crime."

The prep school has 240 students who go through an 11-month program; four out of five of them earn academy appointments.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or zubeck@gazette.com