Two soldiers have been given prison sentences after conspiring to create images of child sexual abuse and taking explicit photos of other soldiers without their consent, according to an Army release.
Pfc. Corey V. Wilkinson, 34, was sentenced by a military judge on Oct. 1 to seven years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of solicitation of a crime, one count of viewing child sex abuse material and two counts of sexual abuse of a child by indecent communication.
Also sentenced by a military judge was Pfc. Whitney D. Shepherd, 34, who received 25 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent recording and one count of producing child sexual abuse material.
The crimes took place in early 2023 while both soldiers were stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany, according to the release. Courts-martial for the two individuals were held at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Wilkinson was also found to have provided false statements to investigators, according to a charge sheet the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel provided to Military Times.
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The soldiers, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), each received a reduction in rank to E-1 and a dishonorable discharge. Both will be required to register as sex offenders upon release from prison, according to the release.
The investigation into the pair’s actions began when Shepherd “inadvertently disclosed” information as part of a separate inquiry, according to the release. They were both subsequently arrested.
“The resolution of this case will no doubt bring comfort to these victims and serve as a reminder, to those who even consider committing an act of sexual exploitation, that the Army and the Office of Special Trial Counsel stand ready to prosecute these heinous crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” Capt. Matthew Wallace, the lead prosecutor of Shepherd’s case, said in the release.
The Army Criminal Investigative Division investigated the case, while the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel assisted with prosecution efforts.
Riley Ceder is a reporter at Military Times, where he covers breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber. He previously worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, where he contributed to the Abused by the Badge investigation.
