June 15 (UPI) — Kentucky State Police said four state National Guard soldiers have been arrested and charged with crimes related to the sexual assault of a female officer in Calloway County.
The KSP said officers responded to the Murray-Calloway County Hospital at about 10 a.m. on June 3 after a sexual assault report. Police arrested the four suspects later that day.
The suspects, who were in the area for training drills ahead of the 438th Military Police Company’s annual training, are identified as Kentucky residents Anthony R. Tubolino, 25, of Auburn; Tyler A. Hart, 19, of Bowling Green; Austin L. Dennis, 21, of Monfordville; and Jacob F. Ruth, 22, of Monfordville.
Tubolino faces charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy and third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. Hart was charged with first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sodomy. Dennis was charged with second-degree sodomy. Ruth was charged with second-degree sodomy.
“Preliminary investigation has shown the four suspects were in Calloway County in preparation for weekend deployment,” KSP said in a statement. “It has also shown the victim was provided alcohol and was then sexually assaulted by these four suspects.”
KSP said the Kentucky National Guard has helped police in the investigation and has remained cooperative.
“All soldiers are entitled to due process and no action will be taken by the Kentucky National Guard until the Kentucky State Police investigation is completed,” Maj. Gen. Stephen Hogan, Kentucky’s adjutant general, said in a statement.
“Sexual assault is not only a reprehensible act, it is a criminal act. First and foremost our goal is to support the victim of this incident. It is damaging to our morale, to our readiness and to our combat ability. It has no place in the Kentucky National Guard. It goes against all the values we hold dear as service members in the U.S. Military.”
A preliminary hearing date for the four soldiers is scheduled for July 5.
