A two-star general who was relieved in May from command of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas has had his charges of sexual assault, extramarital sexual conduct, dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming referred to a court-martial.
It marks the second time in history that a U.S. Air Force general officer has been formally charged with a sexual crime.
Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart had an Article 32 hearing — a preliminary hearing similar to a grand jury proceeding for civilians — in October on whether there's probable cause that he violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Air Education and Training Command, or AETC, said Tuesday that all of the potential charges reviewed in that hearing will be heading to court-martial.
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“Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command and general court-martial convening authority, reviewed all evidence and the Article 32 preliminary hearing officer's report in deciding to refer all preferred charges to a court-martial,” said Capt. Scarlett Trujillo, an AETC spokeswoman.
In May, Air Education and Training Command announced that Stewart was being removed from his role as commander of the 19th Air Force “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, related to alleged misconduct which is currently under…
