Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2013

Court-martial

Staff Sgt. Manuel Rico, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, was convicted Jan. 16 at general court-martial of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12 and engaging in indecent conduct with his subordinate Soldier. Rico faced multiple violations of Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including two specifications of rape of a child under the age of 12, two specifications of aggravated sexual contact with a child, and one specification of indecent liberties with a child. He was also charged with sodomy of a child in violation of Article 125. In addition to the offenses against a child, he was charged with indecent acts and maltreatment by observing his subordinate Soldier have sexual intercourse in his presence.

A military judge sentenced Rico to 25 years confinement at the Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, along with reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, a dishonorable discharge and will be required to register as a sex offender with the installation provost marshal and with state and local officials where he resides.