A “private-first class” soldier at Fort-Bliss in El Paso, TX, is now under court-martial after being accused of sexually assaulting a fellow soldier who was found dead on New Year’s Eve.
Nineteen-year-old Asia Graham was found unresponsive in her encampment on Dec. 31. Though no foul play was suspected, her death comes months after a reported sexual assault.
According to a statement, as reported by CNN, on June 1, Graham alleged that a fellow soldier had sexually abused her. She said the assault actually happened months prior — Dec. 2019.
After the accusation, a military protective order went into effect to ensure Graham and the alleged offender would not cross paths.
Charges — “one specification of sexual assault pertaining to Pfc. Graham” were initially brought against the unnamed soldier on Oct. 22, 2020. However, on Friday, Maj. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, 1st Armored Division commander, demanded a “referral of charges against the soldier to a general court-martial,” Lt. Col. Allie Payne, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs Officer said in a statement.
This means that a military judge will be briefed and handle the case from here on out.
Graham, who joined the U.S. Army in 2019, served as a Human Resource Specialist. Fort Bliss was her first assignment.
