Soldier at Fort Hood accused of running prostitution ring

A U.S. Army soldier appeared before a military panel on Tuesday to address allegations that he operated a prostitution ring with at least three cash-strapped female soldiers at Fort Hood, one of the largest Army bases in the country.

The case is another in a spate of embarrassing sex-related incidents in the military that prompted Congress to look at ways to make top brass more accountable for the conduct of soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen faces 21 charges related to pandering, conspiracy, maltreatment of a subordinate, abusive sexual contact, adultery and conduct of a nature to bring discredit to the armed forces, military officials said.

He worked as the coordinator of a sexual harassment and assault prevention program, CBS affiliate KWTX reported.

The proceedings at Fort Hood, similar to a pretrial hearing in a civilian court, are expected to take two days.

“The first witness, whose name was withheld, said she was approached by McQueen when she was 20 years old and was having problems paying her student loans and buying food for her 3-year-old child,” KWTX said.

She said she used the money she earned from having sex with Master Sgt. Brad Grimes to buy groceries for her and her child.

Another soldier from the Texas base was demoted last year after he was found guilty of conspiring to patronize a prostitute and solicitation to commit adultery.

Al Jazeera and wire services