A military jury has reached a verdict in the case against a Sheppard Air Force Base Officer.

It took the jury nearly 5 hours to decide the verdict for Colonel Samuel Lofton III, who was charged with multiple crimes against three women.  The jury of nine acquits Lofton of the rape charge and two counts of indecent assault. They found Col. Lofton guilty of two counts of indecent assault, connected to a second woman.  They also said guilty for two counts of conduct Unbecoming of An Officer and Gentleman. Those counts are connected to the third woman who Lofton made inappropriate comments to.

 In today's closing arguments Defense Attorneys attacked the credibility of two of the victims including the one accusing Colonel Lofton of rape. The defense demonstrated how the rape could not have physically happened as the victim described it. They also pointed out the victims continued to have friendly encounters through e-mails and office visits with the Colonel, after the alleged incidents took place.

 But The Government argued the two female  victims were scared and handled the situation in a way they felt needed to keep their jobs. The credibility of the third victim was not questioned.

 The sentencing phase begins tomorrow morning. Keep in mind they are not only going to decide punishment for the things found guilty today but also to what Colonel Lofton pleaded guilty to last week. Those included AWOL, Larceny, and Dereliction of Duty.

 The maximum punishment for todays verdict is 12 years, but adding in the other charges the Colonel plead guilty brings that maximum punishment to 140 years. He also faces dismissal from the Air-Force, total forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and an unlimited fine from the court.