WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Fort Benning Soldier Charged With Sexual Abuse

Fort Benning Soldier Charged With Sexual Abuse

By Lindsey Connell - bio | e-mail

PHENIX CITY, AL (WTVM) -  What started as a fun Friday night out in Columbus for a group of off-duty Fort Benning soldiers, allegedly turned violent for one.

Police say the group of friends came back to a home on 20th Street in Phenix City. In the early morning hours on Saturday, one male soldier tells Phenix City investigators he woke up to another male soldier sexually assaulting him.

"Phenix City police, the CID Division, responded to a call, I believe it originally came out through Martin Army Hospital, where a soldier from Fort Benning had been sexually assaulted. Upon further investigation, we were able to establish an offender's name," said Lieutenant W.C. Lewis, investigator with the Phenix City Police Department.

Police have arrested and charged 24-year-old Christopher Whitfield with sexual abuse in the first degree.

They say Whitfield and the victim, whose name they are not releasing, were friends and used to be in the same unit at Fort Benning but were not involved romantically or physically.

"After speaking with the victim himself, there's no indication there's any type of relationship between the two," Lt. Lewis added.

Investigators say they've spoken with Whitfield's superiors at Fort Benning about the alleged assault and they say Whitfield has no previous records or complaints on his file.

Whitfield is being held in the Russell County Jail.

Meanwhile, Phenix City Police are still investigating the case and tell us the matter is also being investigated by the Army.

However, Fort Benning could not comment on the matter today.