An Air Force major general in Ohio was found guilty of one of three specifications of abusive sexual contact in the first-ever military trial of an Air Force general.
There were three specifications to the charge against Maj. Gen. William Cooley during the court-martial at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The forcible kissing specification was the only one of the three that was found guilty.
The verdict marks the first court-martial trial and conviction of a general officer in the Air Force's 75-year history.
A former commander of Air Force Research Laboratory was charged with abusive sexual contact in an encounter with a woman who gave him a ride after a backyard barbecue in New Mexico. The woman is not an employee of the Department of Defense.
As a result of his conviction, he could face as much as seven years in jail, as well as loss of rank, pay and benefits.
The case could have been heard by the military judge or court member jurors, but Cooley chose to have the case heard by the judge.
Ryan Guilds, the woman's attorney, said in a statement that today marks the first time an Air Force general officer has been held responsible for his heinous actions.
In January 2020 he was fired from his research laboratory position and since then he has worked in an administrative job. A message was left for his attorney.
This case shows the commitment of Air Force leaders to fully investigate the facts and hold them accountable for their actions when they fail to uphold Air Force standards.
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