A Sheppard Air Force Base Colonel could get life in military prison. This after he appeared in court to plead on six charges. Colonel Samuel Lofton III pled not guilty to three charges, but said he was guilty of three others concerning financial theft and absence without leave.

Colonel Lofton is  the former 82nd Training Group Commander at SAFB. He was removed a year ago from his post, which he held about three years, after evidence of financial wrongdoing. Today he voluntarily pleaded guilty to mis-using a government credit card and larceny on 17 different instances. Lofton said these allegations were done by creating fraudulent TDY orders for trips that didn't exist. He would then file for reimbursement vouchers at the base. In all, the vouchers added up to more than $11,000.

Lofton told the judge he had no intention of paying back the U.S. Air Force and gave no defense as to why he even stole the money.

He also plead guilty to Absence Without Leave on 11 different instances. The judge says even though the trips were made up, Colonel Lofton was still not where he was supposed to be. making him absent without leave from assignments.

The punishment phase on those charges is not the end of the case. Colonel Lofton also pleaded not guilty to three charges, including rape and sexual acts. The trial on those accusations is set to begin Monday morning at nine. It will be held at Sheppard Air Force Base.