Army Gen. Sinclair defers plea on sex charges

By MICHAEL BIESECKER
Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) -- An Army general facing court-martial deferred entering a plea Tuesday on a series of sexual misconduct charges.

The arraignment for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair continued with a defense motion to disqualify prosecutors over e-mails that were erroneously sent to them.

Though the Army has not yet released the final charges against Sinclair, a preliminary list included forcible sodomy, wrongful sexual conduct, violating orders, engaging in inappropriate relationships and adultery.

A 27-year Army veteran who served five combat tours, Sinclair faces life in prison if convicted on the most serious offenses.

Sinclair's case is headed to trial following a spate of highly publicized sex scandals involving high-ranking officers that has triggered a review of ethics training across the military.

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