Adam Schlueter, a 37-year-old former U.S. soldier, was convicted this week of sexually assaulting and physically abusing two children under the age of 10 while stationed in Germany between 2009 and 2013, according to federal prosecutors. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison. (Stars and Stripes)
A former U.S. soldier from Atlanta is facing at least three decades in prison for sexually and physically abusing two young children while stationed in Germany more than 10 years ago, according to federal prosecutors.
A federal court jury convicted Adam Schlueter, 37, on Friday of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under age 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
The convictions carry a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for July 9.
The abuse occurred from 2009 to 2013 while Schlueter was enlisted in the Army and stationed at Grafenwoehr, an expansive training area in Bavaria, federal prosecutors said this week, citing court documents and evidence presented at trial.
The children he victimized were less than 10 years old at the time, according to the Justice Department.
During trial testimony, both children described being choked and beaten by Schlueter. One of them was pushed through a second-story window and dangled above the ground, according to testimony.
To prevent reporting of the abuse to authorities, Schlueter threatened to harm and even kill witnesses, prosecutors said.
“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” prosecutor Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement Monday.
