U.S. airman in jail for molestation

A former U.S. senior airman is serving a 15-year jail sentence for sexually molesting two Korean male orphans and possessing dozens of child pornography videos, court records showed.

Robert Keldgard, who was stationed at Kunsan Air Base in North Jeolla between 2012 and 2013, was convicted by a court-martial in April 2016.

Col. John Bosone, the commander of the 8th Fighter Wing at the base, confirmed the information last week in a response to questions from Yonhap.

Bosone called Keldgard’s crimes “heinous and despicable,” noting that his wrongdoings have resulted in a dishonorable discharge from the Air Force, 15-year sentence in a military prison, total forfeiture of pay and allowance and demotion.

“As soon as United States Air Force investigators stationed at Kunsan Air Base were made aware of the incidents, they, with Korean National Police, immediately and aggressively investigated the allegations, and Keldgard was militarily prosecuted for his crimes,” the commander said.

“This is a very shameful past moment for Kunsan Air Base and our community,” he added, stressing that the crimes by the “predator” are not reflective of U.S. service members who serve here for the defense of Korea under an alliance treaty.

In October 2014, Keldgard was investigated for an unrelated incident that happened during his stint at Kadena Air Base in Japan. Investigators searched his computer hard drive and discovered at least 41 child pornography videos acquired from the Internet.

This finding expanded the scope of the probe to Keldgard’s prior assignments, including the Kunsan Air Base. In cooperation with Korean police, the Air Force investigators looked into his contact with two Korean boys.

The authorities then found that Keldgard had “inappropriate sexual contact” with the boys on and off base, the 8th Fighter Wing commander explained. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and molesting the victims.

Court documents indicated that the young victims chose not to participate in the proceedings of the military criminal trial.

But a social worker’s statement on the victims’ behalf that demanded justice for the pain they had suffered was instrumental in the sentencing of the assailant, Bosone said.

Following the crimes, the 8th Fighter Wing has taken steps to prevent a recurrence, such as implementing a more intensive background check of all unit personnel who volunteer to spend time with Korean neighbors outside the base.

All Kunsan Air Base programs that involve individuals under the age of 18 have chaperones that closely monitor their interactions and relationships. In addition, all 8th Fighter Wing personnel must complete annual Green Dot Training, an interactive training program that teaches airmen to intervene and prevent situations of sexual and domestic violence, abuse and stalking.

“We take all allegations concerning child sexual assault and child pornography very seriously and pledge to fully pursue all appropriate actions,” the commander said, noting that “maintaining trust is a priority.”

The U.S. currently maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korean aggression and provocations.

Yonhap