August 31, 2005

Roman Catholic military chaplain charged with sexual assaults

WASHINGTON (DC)
Grand Island Independent

JONATHAN M. KATZ
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON — The Army is investigating a Roman Catholic military chaplain on multiple charges of forcible sodomy and assault.

Capt. Gregory Arflack was suspended both by the Army and his dioceses pending the results of the investigation.

Arflack, 44, is a chaplain with the 279th Base Support Battalion. The unit performs administrative functions at its post in Bamberg, Germany, which also houses the 1st Infantry Division.

The Army is investigating 12 charges: three counts each of forcible sodomy and indecent acts, two counts each of fraternization with enlisted service members and disobeying orders, and one count each of indecent assault and conduct unbecoming an officer, said Maj. Bill Coppernoll, a 1st Infantry Division spokesman.

The Army did not discuss specifics about the alleged assaults, except to say they occurred while Arflack was stationed in Doha, Qatar, in March 2004 and in Bamberg on July 29 and 30 of this year.

Posted by kshaw at August 31, 2005 06:01 AM