FORT LEAVENWORTH, KS — A senior Army noncommissioned officer—once recognized for his leadership and dedication to mentoring youth—has now been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army following a general court-martial conviction for producing CSAM.
SFC Namon L. Bledsoe Convicted
On August 27, 2025, Sergeant First Class Namon L. Bledsoe was convicted at a general court-martial convened at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after pleading guilty to one specification of producing CSAM in violation of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
According to official court documents, the judge presiding over the case, Kenton E. Spiegler, sentenced Bledsoe to 18 months of confinement and a dishonorable discharge from the Army. The sentence was issued in accordance with the terms of a pretrial plea agreement.
Civilian Charges for CSAM Still Pending
The military conviction follows earlier and ongoing civilian charges filed against Bledsoe in Rock Island County, Illinois, where he was arrested in late 2024. He currently faces four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felonies) and one count of producing CSAM (Class X felony). Prosecutors allege that Bledsoe abused a 13-year-old girl and recorded the abuse between August and September 2024.
As of his last court appearance, Bledsoe remained on pretrial release with GPS monitoring, though the outcome of a scheduled October 15, 2024, hearing has not been publicly confirmed.
Why Was He in Rock Island?
While the Army has not officially stated where Bledsoe was assigned at the time of the alleged civilian offenses, multiple indicators suggest a link to First Army at Rock Island Arsenal—a major installation on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa.
Bledsoe appeared in uniform at a “First 100 Yards” youth event held at Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island in May 2024. The event was hosted by First Army soldiers, strongly suggesting that Bledsoe was assigned there in an official capacity when the alleged abuse occurred.
Formerly Celebrated Army NCO
Bledsoe previously served as acting first sergeant of the 274th Movement Control Team (MCT) under the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Notably, he held this leadership role while still a staff sergeant, an uncommon appointment reflecting high trust by his command team at the time.
In 2019, the Army spotlighted Bledsoe for his work with the 595th Transportation Brigade in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he was praised for managing vessel movements across the CENTCOM theater. In a promotional interview for the “Surface Warrior Spotlight” series, Bledsoe portrayed himself as a model soldier who aspired to become a drill sergeant and mentor at-risk youth—a striking contrast to the charges and conviction he now faces.
Leadership Fallout in the 274th MCT
Bledsoe is the second senior leader formerly assigned to the 274th MCT to face criminal conviction in recent years. His former commander, Captain Krystal T. Parrish, was court-martialed in June 2025 and found guilty of domestic violence and assault. Parrish was sentenced to dismissal from the Army, the officer equivalent of a dishonorable discharge.
While there is no evidence the two cases are connected, the dual downfall of both the unit’s commander and acting first sergeant has cast a long shadow over the once-proud leadership of the 274th MCT.
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