Army Major alleged to have perpetrated sexual assault against at least 20 victims
Major Jonathan J. Batt is looking at three charges involving 76 specifications related to sexual assault. There are at least 20 alleged victims involved with these charges. A military preliminary hearing officer recommended that these charges be addressed at a court-martial. Bratt is facing specifications related to sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, aggravated assault by strangulation, aggravated assault with suffocation, assault consummated by battery, as well as obstruction to justice.
From the Army Times:
Batt faces 14 specifications of rape, 20 specifications of sexual assault, three specifications of abusive sexual contact, 15 specifications of aggravated assault by strangulation, one specification of aggravated assault by suffocation, 22 specifications of assault consummated by a battery and one specification of obstructing justice, Office of Special Trial Counsel spokesperson Michelle McCaskill told Army Times.
The alleged offenses took place between December 2019 and February 2023 in the Washington, D.C. area, McCaskill said.
“We intend to represent him vigorously and we have no further comment at this time,” Cave said in a statement.
McCaskill referred further questions to CID. Special Agent Mark Lunardi told Army Times that Batt’s “remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
Batt was being detained at a military detention facility in Chesapeake, Virginia, as of Thursday, officials said.
Batt commissioned after attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2007, officials said. As an infantry officer, he deployed to Afghanistan four times and was previously assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 5th Ranger Training Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, 75th Ranger Regiment and 3rd Infantry Regiment.
The major’s awards include two Bronze Star Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, 7 Army Achievement Medals and various other awards.
Additional Reading:
South, T. (2024, November 7). Army officer faces rape, sexual assault charges involving 20 victims. Army Times. Link.
Category: Army, Army News, Crime, Veterans in the news
