Cadet referred for court-martial

  • Published
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  A general court-martial has been referred for Cadet 3rd Class Douglas L. Meester for violating the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, according to officials here.

Charges were preferred against Meester on May 13, for rape, forcible sodomy, conduct unbecoming for providing alcohol to minors and indecent assault.

Meester’s Article 32 hearing was conducted May 14, at the Academy to determine if the case should be referred to court-martial or if an alternate action should be taken. The investigating officer for the Article 32 was Maj. Todd McDowell. The general court-martial was referred by Brig. Johnny W. Weida, the convening authority.

If convicted in the trial, Meester faces a maximum punishment of confinement for life, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dismissal from the Air Force. No trial date has been set.