Army Sex Case: Prosecutor Claims Victim Lied

The Army sex case against Brigadier General Jeffrey A. Sinclair will proceed as planned. However, lead prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel William Helixon was removed from the case. During a closed meeting, Helixon reportedly “broke down in tears,” and requested that the sexual assault charges be dismissed. Although Helixon lead the prosecution team for two years, he now believes the alleged victim lied under oath.

In 2009, Sinclair began a consensual sexual relationship with a female lieutenant. Although he was married, the affair continued for nearly three years.

In March 2012, the unidentified woman confessed the affair to then-Major General Jim Huggins. During her confession, she accused Sinclair of forcing her to perform oral sex on two occasions.

When confronted with the allegations, Sinclair offered to confess to adultery and retire from the Army. However, he denied the accusations of forced sexual contact.

Army officials rejected the offer and formerly charged Sinclair with adultery, assault, having inappropriate relationships, misuse of taxpayer money, possession of alcohol in a war zone, and possession of pornography.

As reported by the Fayette Observer, Sinclair was charged with a total of eight criminal counts. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Although the lead prosecutor was removed from the case, the judge has determined that the Army sex case will proceed as planned. The lead prosecutor was replaced with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Steele and opening statements are set to begin on Thursday. Steele said he does not “care what [Helixon] thinks and neither should the court.”

Bigade General Paul Wilson met with Helixon on February 8. Wislon testified that the prosecutor was “in the midst of a personal crisis… crying… illogical.” Wilson further testified that Helixon appeared to be intoxicated and suicidal.

The prosecutor was reportedly upset, as he believed the alleged victim lied under oath. On December 9, 2013, the unidentified woman testified that she recently discovered an old cell phone, which contained information pertinent to the case.

However, several forensic analysts determined that the phone was in use weeks before the alleged victim reported finding it.

Wilson said the revelation devastated Helixon. The prosecutor was incredibly distraught, as he believed in the victim and felt he was lied to. Wilson eventually transported Helixon to the Fort Belvfor hospital for a mental health assessment. A psychiatrist interviewed the prosecutor and determined that he did not require inpatient treatment.

Although he did not require hospitalization, the prosecutor was removed from the Army sex case. ABC News reports that Helixon’s attorney, Richard Scheff, said the attacks concerning his client’s state of mind are “deplorable:”

“The government undertook a vicious character assault against someone they previously called their ‘rock star’ sex crimes prosecutor, because he was the only Army leader with the integrity to stand up to politics. People should be rewarded for honesty, not punished for it.”

Despite the prosecutors plea, the Army sex case is expected to proceed as planned.

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