First-ever US Air Force trial of a general finds William Cooley guilty of sexual misconduct

In the first-ever military trial for a general in the 75-year history of the US air force, a two-star general was found guilty Saturday of abusive sexual contact for forcibly kissing his sister-in-law after a family barbecue.

Maj Gen William Cooley faces up to seven years in prison, a dishonorable discharge and the loss of his air force pay and benefits at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Monday.

Her attorney, Ryan Guilds, said the woman gave permission to disclose her familial relationship to Cooley so that the public had a full understanding of the case.

An attorney for Cooley declined to comment Saturday, saying the matter remained open. He can appeal the verdict.

During the trial, which began 18 April, military prosecutors accused Cooley of drinking heavily at a family cookout in New Mexico in 2018 and then trying to force himself on his sister-in-law, after spending years fantasizing about seducing her, they said.

She had driven Cooley to another family home to pick up some belongings after the barbecue when he attempted to place her hand on his crotch, kissed her forcibly while pushing her into the car window, and then groped her breasts and genitals, prosecutors claimed.

Prosecutors said Cooley admitted what happened in a note to his sister-in-law and brother, as well as in emails to himself that he later deleted.

Cooley pleaded not guilty and chose for his case to be heard by a judge, rather than a jury. He also opted against testifying in his own defense. His legal team argued that he did nothing more than share a consensual kiss with his sister-in-law. She did testify, sharing her account from the witness stand on Tuesday, the first day of testimony.

The military judge, Col Christina Jimenez, began deliberating Friday and on Saturday convicted Cooley of the forcible kissing while finding him not guilty of either groping charge.