Bragg GI Charged With Sexual Assault
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command said its agents are working "very closely" with law enforcement in Fayetteville and elsewhere. The soldier hasn't been charged in any of the seven reported sexual attacks in Fayetteville.
The suspect is identified as Spc. Aaron M. Pernell, an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He has been charged with burglaries and sexual assault, which CID said occurred during one of the burglaries.
Pernell is a native of Tulsa, Okla., and entered the Army in March 2006, according to CID. He completed initial entry training at Fort Benning, Ga.
The reported crimes on Fort Bragg occurred in December in the Ste. Mere Eglise neighborhood.
Three weeks ago, Fayetteville police said it had received seven reports of sexual attacks in the city since June. City police said the attacks appeared similar to the Fort Bragg attack. In each of the cases, an intruder broke into an apartment or condo at night or early in the morning. In some of the cases, the intruder took money or items from the home.
Law enforcement from across the Cape Fear region formed a task force in January to investigate the attacks. Investigators have said they weren't sure of any definitive links between the Fayetteville cases and the one on Fort Bragg. The most recently reported attack was in Hope Mills on Jan. 10.
