Soldier Gets 4-Year Prison Term in Sex Case

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A former Army drill sergeant convicted of 15 counts of sexual misconduct has been dishonorably discharged and sentenced to four years in prison.

Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Barner, 36, of Cordele, Ga., was cleared Thursday by a military court of two rape charges. Barner’s rank was reduced to E-1, the lowest level of private, and he will forfeit all pay and allowances, said a spokeswoman at Ft. Jackson.

Eight women accused him of misconduct including improper touching, inappropriate conversations and sexual assault during 1995 and 1996. He was convicted of three counts of indecent assault; two of obstructing justice; one each of adultery, assault and attempted indecent assault; and seven of disobeying orders.