Defense: General’s Deal Drops Sex Assault Charge

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An Army general is expected to enter pleas in a deal that includes the dismissal of sexual assault charges stemming from accusations he forced a subordinate officer to perform oral sex.

The hearing today at Fort Bragg would cap the prosecution of Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair in a closely watched case that came as the military grapples with sex crimes in its ranks.

Lawyers representing Sinclair say he'll plead to lesser charges in exchange for the dropping of the sexual assault charges and two other counts that might have required Sinclair to register as a sex offender.

At an upcoming hearing, a military judge will give Sinclair a sentence that can't exceed terms in an agreement struck between defense lawyers and military attorneys.