Suspect in Fort Hood prostitution ring identified

Tom Vanden Brook | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Army is investigating Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen, a sexual abuse educator at Fort Hood in Texas, for allegedly running a small-time prostitution ring and for the sexual assault of another soldier, senior military officials have confirmed.

The military officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is under investigation and McQueen has not been charged with a crime.

When reached by telephone, McQueen told USA TODAY he had no comment.

Investigators believe that McQueen, 37, persuaded a female private first class to become a prostitute who sold sex to other servicemembers, according to a senior defense official and Capitol Hill staffer who have been briefed on the investigation.

It is the latest in a string of sex-abuse scandals to rock the military. Earlier this month, the Air Force officer in charge of sexual-abuse prevention was arrested near the Pentagon, accused of drunkenly groping a woman. His trial is slated for July. Last week, the Pentagon announced that incidents of sexual assault had jumped 35% from 2010 to 2012, hitting 26,000.

McQueen was working as a sexual harassment/assault response and prevention coordinator when he recruited the woman, according to the congressional aide, who was briefed by military officials. Those coordinators assist commanders in executing their response and prevention program and integrate sexual assault response efforts of police, medical personnel and chaplains, according to the Army.

McQueen approached another female private first class, the sources said, and attempted to persuade her to become a prostitute. She refused, and he sexually assaulted her, the sources said. She brought the complaint to military officials.

McQueen was removed from his sexual-abuse program duties after the complaint was lodged, according to the Pentagon.

Contributing: Kelly Kennedy