Sergeant Guilty Of Sex Charges

An Army drill instructor was convicted Thursday of charges related to sexual misconduct with a trainee and sentenced to two years in prison.

Sgt. 1st Class Gary F. Alford was found guilty of sodomy, adultery, conspiring to violate a military regulation and three counts of violating a military regulation.

Alford, 32, of Meridian, Miss., was found innocent of other charges including four counts of violating a military regulation and one count each of committing an indecent act with a trainee, perjury and sodomy.

Alford was accused of being part of an organized plot with other drill instructors to have secret sexual liaisons with trainees.

Seven other noncommissioned officers at Fort Leonard Wood have been convicted or pleaded guilty to sex-related charges involving trainees.