Latest reports
Army Military Police NCO convicted after investigators found illegal photos and videos on his iPhone
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A U.S. Army military policeman with more than a decade of service has been sentenced to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge following a military investigation into illegal online material involving minors. Staff Sgt. Chandler D. Hummel, 30, assigned to the 795th Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police…
Air Force identifies decorated airman killed in rappelling accident at college football game
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The U.S. Air Force has identified the service member who died after falling during a military rappelling demonstration ahead of a college football game Saturday as Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a decorated Airman with 15 years of military service. Patterson died following an October 17, 2026, accident at the Alamodome in…
Prosecutors give Marine arrested for child crime a plea deal after nearly 20 months in jail
When Marine Lance Cpl. Zayne Melton was arrested in February 2025 on charges of statutory rape and other sexual offenses involving a child, the allegations were serious enough to generate national military headlines and an $800,000 secured bond. The 22-year-old Camp Lejeune Marine remained behind bars as prosecutors spent nearly 17 months getting the case…
Air Force NCO who vanished to Dominican Republic acquitted of desertion, convicted of AWOL
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — What began as the mysterious disappearance of a U.S. Air Force noncommissioned officer in southern New Mexico eventually led investigators to the Dominican Republic, where his family feared an online relationship may have played a role in his sudden departure. For nearly a year, the family of Staff Sgt. Isaiah Morningstar searched…
Army NCO convicted in CSAM case as court records detail horrific abuse of children in the videos
A Fort Bragg staff sergeant accused of possessing 73 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children pleaded guilty this month to two felony counts, ending a case that initially drew attention because of the sheer number of charges against him. But newly obtained court records tell a different and more disturbing story than a tally…
Army Ranger officer avoids discharge after affair with fellow Army captain in hotel room
Editor’s note: This story was originally published April 8, 2026. It has been updated after the Army officially released additional court records that reveal new details about the case and clarify what happened to charges that were unresolved when The Salty Soldier first reported on it. When The Salty Soldier first reported on Capt. Brian…
Army officer steals more than $84,000, avoids prison under plea deal
Capt. Duran L. Hepburn was convicted March 31, 2026, at a general court-martial held at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, after pleading guilty to larceny, falsifying an official leave document, and three counts of making false official statements. According to military court records obtained by The Salty Soldier, Hepburn stole approximately $84,683 in Basic Allowance for…
Former 3rd Infantry Division brigade command sergeant major relieved, charged with domestic violence, suffocation, adultery and theft
Command Sgt. Maj. Kirk L. Ray, the former senior enlisted leader of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was removed from the brigade position before the Army formally charged him with a series of offenses involving alleged domestic violence against his wife, assault of another family member, extramarital sexual conduct and theft…
7-week-old baby dead, three dogs starved: New records reveal more in Fort Benning murder case
New federal court records obtained by The Salty Soldier reveal the baby’s age, alleged cause of death and evidence investigators collected after searching the on-post Fort Benning home shared by an active-duty soldier and his partner. The baby at the center of a Fort Benning felony-murder case was only about seven weeks old when prosecutors…
Fort Stewart master sergeant faces court-martial over alleged misconduct with subordinate
FORT STEWART, Ga. — A Fort Stewart master sergeant is scheduled to face a general court-martial in December over allegations involving a subordinate sergeant while serving in Poland. Master Sgt. Fiona R. Wright, an E-8 assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, is charged…
