SEOUL — A master sergeant with 21 years in the military was found guilty Wednesday of having sex with a 19-year-old private in his chain of command in December 2007 and for having an inappropriate relationship with an officer last fall.
Master Sgt. Morgan Bowman, non-commissioned officer in charge of the 106th Medical Detachment, pleaded not guilty to three charges of failure to obey orders and regulations, cruelty and maltreatment, and obstruction of justice.
A court-martial panel deliberated for almost two hours before announcing its verdict.
Bowman testified that Pfc. Ashley Clifton, now 20, visited his apartment between Dec. 20 and Dec. 30, 2007, but that they never had sex.
He also said he never kissed her or provided her alcohol.
Clifton, however, testified that Bowman provided her alcohol and the two had a sexual relationship.
She was granted immunity in return for her testimony.
He denied her claim that he threatened to choke her because he saw her with another soldier she was dating.
A staff sergeant new to the unit learned of their relationship and reported it, launching an Inspector General’s investigation.
The panel also found that Bowman had a wrongful "personal" relationship with Capt. Rachel Hedlin, a veterinarian at Osan Air Base.
Capt. Kellie Stewart testified that she twice saw Bowman and Hedlin, a veterinarian at Osan Air Base, tickling and having personal conversations that indicated a romantic relationship, although she didn’t see them kissing or having sex.
Sentencing deliberations were scheduled to begin Thursday morning.
