MANNHEIM, Germany — The 13-year-old sexual abuse victim can no longer draw a heart without sketching a bandage across the universal symbol of love.
That is only one of the effects of the rape and sodomy of which Staff Sgt. Charles A. Horn of the 293rd Base Support Battalion was found guilty last week of committing on the young girl.
An eight-member military jury also found Horn guilty of attempted rape, attempted forcible sodomy, indecent liberties with a minor, adultery, possessing child pornography and two counts of committing indecent acts with a minor. Horn, 36, was found not guilty of violating the Joint Ethics Regulation by receiving and viewing pornography on a federal government communication system.
The weeklong trial presided over by Col. Denise Lind in a Taylor Barracks courtroom concluded Friday with the sentencing. Horn was sentenced to: 10 years confinement; reduction to the rank of private; forfeiture of all pay and allowances; and a bad conduct discharge.
Horn, a veteran of 17 years, committed the crimes between August 2003 and August 2004 while stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., and in Mannheim. Charges were preferred against Horn in September and November 2004.
Horn’s eventual sentence was considerably less severe than what Capt. Larry Babin of the 21st Theater Support Command, lead prosecutor, requested. The prosecution proposed a sentence of 40 years to life confinement without the eligibility of parole, a dishonorable discharge, reduction to the rank of private and forfeiture of all pay and allowance.
Babin told panel members shortly before they deliberated Friday that Horn had done great physical and psychological harm to the girl.
He reminded the panel that the victim testified that when she draws she sketches hearts with bandages over them.
“She will live with the effects of this crime for the rest of her life,” Babin said.
Horn’s lawyers did not request specific terms for sentencing, but argued strongly against 40 years confinement.
“If he’s released at age 76 with this kind of record, where is he going to go?” asked Maj. Richard Hatfield, co-counsel for Horn.
Hatfield spoke of Horn’s 17 years of military service, including deployments to Afghanistan, Haiti and Sinai. Hatfield told the panel that Horn is capable of being rehabilitated.
“We are not just here to throw him in jail and throw away the key,” Hatfield said. “… How much is enough?”
The jury took roughly two hours to decide that 10 years was enough.
