Maj. Gen. William T. Cooley of the U.S. Air Force was found guilty of sexual assault by a military court in Ohio on April 23, becoming the first general to be convicted in the 75-year history of the military wing.
“This case clearly demonstrates the commitment of Air Force leaders to fully investigate the facts and hold Airmen of any rank accountable for their actions when they fail to uphold Air Force standards,” said Col. Eric Mejia, staff judge advocate for Air Force Materiel Command.
In total, 10 witnesses testified at the trial, the first being Cooley’s victim, who described the assault and its impact as an “F5 tornado” that ruined “everything in its path.” On the day of the incident, both individuals attended a social event where Cooley had consumed alcohol. He asked her for a ride, during which Cooley made sexual advances on the victim and forced himself on her.
Cooley denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. The victim and her spouse reported the assault to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations in December 2019.
Cooley was charged with sexual assault according to Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice with three specifications. As per the Uniform Code, an accused person has the right to trial by either a sole military judge or by court member jurors. Cooley chose the first option.
Of the three charges, the first was that the general kissed the lips and tongue of the victim “with an intent to satisfy his sexual desire.”
Col. Christina M. Jimenez, the senior military judge in the case, judged Cooley guilty of this crime, dismissing two other crimes of touching.
Ryan Guilds, the victim’s attorney, said it takes incredible courage on the part of sexual assault victims to come forward and report abuse, face trial, and get through cross-examination.
“It is very hard to be a survivor in a criminal case. That is one of many reasons you see so few of these cases go to court-martial,” Guilds said. “At the end of the day, she wanted a process that was fair. ... She is incredibly grateful for the prosecution team that worked on this case.”
The sentencing phase of the case begins on April 25.
