Fort Hood Prostitution Ring Results In Court-Martial, Cash Strapped Soldiers Were Trying To Make Ends Meet

Fort Hood has come under fire after it was discovered that a sergeant was running a prostitution ring inside the Texas army base. The sergeant claimed that he and other soldiers needed to find a way to make ends meet because they were not making enough money to support themselves and their families. As a result, they decided to recruit soldiers to participate and make the much-needed extra cash. The sergeant has now received a court martial nearly a year after the prostitution ring was discovered.

Sergeant 1st Class Gregory McQueen appeared at his court martial on Wednesday after waiting nearly a year after being accused of running a prostitution ring inside the army base. According to Sky News, McQueen ran the sexual abuse prevention program for Fort Hood while he organized the prostitution ring. Originally, he plead not guilty to the charges, but changed his plea during the court martial.

Channel 5 NBC Dallas Fort Worth reported that Sergeant 1st Class Gregory McQueen was charged with 21 counts of criminal charges, including adultery, sexual assault, and pandering. During the court martial, he plead guilty to just 15 of the charges. The other 6 charges of sexual assault remained under a not guilty plea.

In June, Sergeant 1st Class Gregory McQueen attended a hearing where two soldiers stated that he actively recruited members of the prostitution ring. Both soldiers admitted to being recruited, as well as female soldiers. Each of his targets were strapped for cash and willing to go the extra mile to make ends meet. One of the female members of the prostitution ring admitted to accepting $100 to have sex with a male soldier.

According to internal gossip, McQueen has already been demoted and reprimanded while he is awaiting the results of his court martial. It was also reported that Master Sergeant Brad Grimes was also demoted and reprimanded for his participation in the prostitution ring. No other names or punishments have been released.

Fort Hood has seen its share of controversy in the past years after two shooting sprees erupted within the base, resulting in a total of 17 dead. It is unknown whether officials plan to tighten controls within the base.

Soldiers on the base were shocked at the news of a prostitution ring inside the base, but were not surprised that soldiers participated to make extra money to make ends meet. Many soldiers claim to make little pay for the work they perform.

[Photo Courtesy: NBC Dallas Fort Worth]