A former Air Force Academy cadet is facing additional charges in a sexual assault case.
Former Cadet 2nd Class Mark R. Czerner was scheduled to appear at a second Article 32 hearing Monday on the new charges, according to a report from 7 News Denver, an ABC affiliate. They include attempted indecent viewing, attempted abusive sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman, according to a release from the Air Force Academy cited by the television station. The abusive sexual contact charge carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years.
A court-martial was scheduled for October after the first Article 32 hearing.
On Aug. 26, 2015, Czerner was charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of wrongful sexual contact in violation of Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. According to the charge sheet provided by the academy, Czerner allegedly had sex with a woman and digitally penetrated her without her consent, as well as allegedly touched a woman’s breast and inner thigh without her consent on or about Feb. 14, 2015.
The academy would not say whether the victim was also a cadet. The charge sheet said the alleged assault happened on or near the academy campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Article 32 hearings are similar to civilian grand juries. The officer presiding over the Article 32 hearing will submit a report of the proceedings, with recommendations, to the commandant of cadets. The commandant, serving as the special court-martial convening authority, will then decide whether to dismiss the case, refer it to a general court-martial or dispose of it through other disciplinary or administrative action.
