“It’s normal for a stepdad and stepdaughter:” Senior Master Sergeant convicted for years of abuse
On April 11, 2023, Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents met Senior Master Sgt. Shakib S. Rahman inside his first sergeant’s office at his workplace. The agents arrived prepared to seize electronic devices they believed could contain photographs, videos and other evidence connected to years of alleged sexual abuse involving Rahman’s stepdaughter. Investigators were…
Army warrant officer threatened to dismember his wife, posed as a 2nd Lt. before raping another woman
Army prosecutors said WO1 Dawson J. Van Manen bound his wife with duct tape and recorded himself raping her, then concealed his identity on Bumble before attacking another woman. Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Before he posed as “2nd Lt. David Johnson” on Bumble, WO1 Dawson J. Van Manen had already threatened to…
Army officer convicted at court martial after arrest in case involving his girlfriend
What began with a 911 call from behind a locked bathroom door would eventually place a Fort Stewart intelligence officer before a military court, exposing a domestic-violence case documented across Chatham County and Army records. First Lt. Benjamin S. Wasco was a Norwich University graduate, former college athlete and competitive endurance runner serving with the…
Congressman behind ‘BRRRRT Act’ met Kurdish power brokers before and after signing of $110 billion energy deals with U.S. companies
Kurdish officials promoted the projects as carrying $110 billion in potential value. What they did not publicly disclose was how much would become corporate profit, how much would reach regional or federal governments, and how much would ultimately benefit the Iraqi people who legally own the resources. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iraq’s oil and gas belong…
Special Forces soldier convicted in prison escape attempt after broadcasting video of estranged wife in bed with another soldier
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Mason Wollersheim’s fall from Special Forces staff sergeant to military prisoner was already dramatic. Then he tried to climb his way out. A photograph published on social media in May 2025 appeared to show Wollersheim folded over the top of a chain-link fence at Fort Leavenworth, his body caught among coils…
Air Force demonstration team member groomed 15-year-old volunteer after airshow
Newly obtained military court records provide the first detailed public account of the crimes that led to the court-martial and imprisonment of former U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Allen G. VanEtten, a former member of the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team. The records, obtained by The Salty Soldier, reveal that VanEtten met a 15-year-old…
Army spouse uses Army uniform to promote paid content near Fort Belvoir
A self-described Army spouse has built part of her online adult brand around Army uniform pieces, apparent sergeant insignia, promotion terminology and references to military communities in the National Capital Region. The material reviewed by The Salty Soldier includes sexualized use of an Army-style service uniform shirt displaying apparent NCO rank, camouflage uniform items and…
Police confirm investigation into lewd Dollar Tree incident after woman identifies alleged Fort Bragg Soldier
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Police Department has confirmed it is actively investigating allegations that a man publicly identified by the alleged victim as a Fort Bragg Soldier followed her through a Dollar Tree while engaging in lewd sexual conduct. The confirmation comes more than two weeks after The Salty Soldier first sought comment from…
US Army recruiter faces court-martial on seven charges
A Colorado-based Army recruiter is facing a general court-martial at Fort Knox on seven alleged violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice’s domestic-violence article. SSG Satvik Jarugula’s trial is scheduled to run from July 21 through July 24, according to the Army’s public court docket. Jarugula pleaded not guilty and elected to have the…
Army identifies third soldier believed killed in Iranian attack on Jordan base
Angel Rampersad was previously listed as missing after the strike that killed 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales. A fourth Soldier, Sgt. Michael Swinton, was killed days later in Iraq. The Department of War has identified Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, as the Soldier believed to have been…
