Air Force Official Pleads Guilty to Sexual Misconduct

A senior official at an Ohio Air Force base who says he was "caught up in a cycle of sin" faces a dishonorable discharge and a long sentence in a military prison. Chief Master Sgt. William Gurney pleaded guilty yesterday to 13 charges of adultery and sexual misconduct stemming from his affairs with four married subordinates and inappropriate sexual advances he made to others, AP reports.

"I failed not only as an airman, but as a husband," the 27-year veteran told the judge. Gurney pleaded not guilty to 5 other counts, including maltreatment of two senior airmen, dereliction of duty, misuse of position, and indecent conduct. Gurney—who pleaded guilty without making a deal with prosecutors—faces up to 14 1/2 years in prison on the counts he pleaded guilty to and another 4 years if found guilty of the others. (More William Gurney stories.)