An Army noncommissioned officer was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for a violent campaign of sexual assaults and physical attacks on women stationed at Fort Cavazos, Texas, concluding one of the most high-profile courts-martial in recent years.
Sgt. Greville Clarke, 31, was convicted on 29 counts including rape, intent to commit kidnapping, attempted premeditated murder, sexual assault, indecent visual records, robbery, physical assault and obstruction of justice. The offenses, which took place between 2021 and 2022, involved five female soldiers attacked in their barracks.
Additionally, Clarke was sentenced to 112.5 years on top of the life sentence, a reduction in rank to E-1, a dishonorable discharge from the Army, and a total forfeiture of pay and allowances.
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“I am incredibly proud of the five survivors of Sgt. Clarke’s violence for standing strong against him during trial. It has been my honor to walk with them on the journey to receive justice,” Maj. Allyson Montgomery, lead prosecutor from the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in a statement released by the service. “May they now begin their lifelong paths of healing and vindication knowing their voices have ensured the accused is held accountable for his crimes.”
In the most recent incident on Oct. 2, 2022, according to court records, Clarke broke into a woman’s barracks room, bound her hands, and blindfolded her before sexually assaulting her at gunpoint. He took photos of her naked, struck her with his gun, and stole $14,000 after taking her credit card. He attempted to force her into a footlocker to take her to another location, but she fled.
In another attack, Clarke broke into a barracks room and assaulted two female soldiers while holding them at knifepoint, according to court records. He raped one of the women. In a separate incident, he hid in a woman’s shower and attacked her when she got to her barracks, but she was able to flee.
Clarke was apprehended in October 2022 and held in pretrial confinement.
Barracks typically have virtually no security, including no cameras and, in some cases, no appropriate locks. A 2023 Government Accountability Office report found widespread deficiencies in basic safety infrastructure within barracks, including broken door locks and windows.
In some instances, service members reported being unable to lock their doors and were concerned about security.
Clarke was most recently assigned to the 74th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. He joined the Army in 2017 as a bridge crewmember.
His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.
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