Sexual assault earns Airman demotion, discharge, brig sentence

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane M. Phipps
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Airman Basic Alexander Rowe, 726th Air Control Squadron, was found guilty of forcible sodomy, Aug 16.

After a three-day court martial, Rowe was sentenced to two years confinement, demotion from E-4 to E-1, a dishonorable discharge with forfeiture of all pay and allowances and is currently being transferred to Naval consolidated brig, Miramar, Calif.

"On March 10th, Rowe was in a hotel room with several other Airmen who he had provided alcohol to," explained Capt. Andrea Hunwick, 366th Judge advocate chief of installation-law and prosecutor for the case. The victim was an Airman 1st Class who drank excessively to the point of becoming incapacitated.

In the eyes of the legal system minimal physical force is required to be considered forcible sodomy -- if the victim is under the influence, said Hunwick.

"By law, if someone is intoxicated the only force necessary to complete the offense is the force necessary to overcome their will," Hunwick said.

Upon thoroughly researching the case, prosecutors discovered the defendant had a history of sexual assault.

Prosecutors uncovered a victim from 2008 that proved to be an essential piece to the case, in more ways than one.

"It was very beneficial finding this individual because it showed a pattern in Rowe's behavior, and provided the original victim a sense of closure," said Capt. Jeanhei Dabbagh, 366th JA chief of military justice. "I really think justice was served in this case."

For those involved in a trial like this, the serious impact sexual crimes have on the victims is evident.

"It's especially stressful preparing for these trials because these cases affect real people," said Hunwick. "This current victim was very much affected by what happened to him, he wants to get out of the Air Force and has needed to receive therapy. You want to make sure they get the justice they're after."

Hunwick and her team hope this trial can shine a light on the relationship between alcohol and sexual assault.

"I want Airmen to understand alcohol is legally not a defense to any crime to include sex-assault," she said. "Legally, it does not matter how drunk you were, if you sexually assault someone, you're going to be treated like any reasonable, sober person would be treated. Intoxication is simply not a defense."

In addition, the JA team feels it paramount for individuals to understand what can be considered a crime.

"Regardless of how one perceives a sexual act, minor touching, or even sexual intercourse, such an act done without consent is a crime," explained Dabbagh.