A Fort Hood, Texas, soldier has been charged with rape in connection with an attack on Natalie Longee, a 21-year-old Army police officer who said she was deployed to Iraq and retaliated against by supervisors after reporting a sexual assault.
Longee reported being raped at Fort Hood more than a year ago, telling her story to The Denver Post shortly after returning from deployment in Iraq. Longee said that after the attack, she spent eight months without counseling and then was forced to return to the same base, where she has repeatedly encountered her alleged rapist.
In addition, she told The Post last month that her supervisors pressured her to drop the charges. Now, a member of Congress says that allegation has been confirmed.
Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., said he became concerned after learning of Longee’s case and intervened on her behalf to the Pentagon and members of her command.
In addition to the rape charge, Moore said, he was also told that an Army investigation had determined that “one or more of those allegations that she was pressured to drop charges was substantiated.”
Army officials did not comment on that investigation.
Charged last week with rape was Pvt. Patrick O. Eiland, who was cited under Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Eiland, who is assigned to headquarters at the base, was not detained, said spokesman Dan Hassett.
Eiland declined an interview request.
The Post first related Longee’s account Nov. 26. Her story mirrored that of dozens of women the newspaper interviewed for a three-day investigative series published earlier that month that detailed how the military mishandles cases of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The armed services have discouraged victims from reporting, deprived them of advocates and counseling, and conducted shoddy investigations, according to interviews with more than 60 military women and a review of records.
Like Longee, the women feared retaliation and damage to their careers if they reported. Those who did come forward often were blamed, ostracized or punished.
Moore said members of Congress should consider holding public hearings on the issue. “I want to make sure (women) in the armed services are protected,” he said.
Meanwhile, Longee’s mother said she is still concerned for her daughter, who wants to be discharged from the military but has not been allowed to leave.
Natalie Longee needs counseling, Margaret Vague said, and medication in order to deal with her trauma. Yet she has stopped taking her medication because the military has threatened to demote her if she does not get back to work, Vague said. Spokesman Hassett said he was not aware of that situation.
“I’m very glad they finally figured out they need to charge this guy,” Vague said, “but Natalie still needs help that she is not getting there. All the military cares about is covering their butts.”
Amy Herdy can be reached at 303-820-1752 or aherdy@denverpost.com . Miles Moffeit can be reached at 303-820-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com .
