Pair of Guam airmen face trial on sex offenses in unrelated cases

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A pair of airmen assigned to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam face separate courts-martial there in the coming weeks for sexual and related offenses.

Trial is expected to start Feb. 11 for Tech. Sgt. Donald Frierson Jr. for the alleged 2017 sexual assault of a child in Germany, according to the Air Force court docket and a copy of his charge sheet.

In an unrelated case, Tech. Sgt. Jacory Royster is due in court Monday to start trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault, indecent language and solicitation, according to the docket and his charge sheet.

Both airmen are charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Trial for each man could last a week.

In Frierson’s case, prosecutors allege he touched the buttocks of a 12-year-old girl through her clothing, kissed her back and touched her upper thighs.

The incidents allegedly took place between June and September 2017 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Frierson is attached to the 36th Communications Squadron.

In Royster’s case, prosecutors allege he touched a woman’s back and buttocks with his hand, through her clothes and without her consent. He also allegedly touched the woman’s leg with his leg, also without her consent.

According to the charge sheet, Royster did so with “intent to gratify his sexual desire, by causing bodily harm to her.”

Royster also allegedly made sexually graphic remarks about the woman.

That incident allegedly occurred July 14 in Dededo, Guam.

Air Force officials said they would not be able to respond to requests seeking further information this week.

burke.matt@stripes.com