United States Air Force Basic Training scandal The Air Force Basic Training scandal was a military sex scandal at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio , Texas . The scandal involved 43 female trainees who alleged being victimized by their Military Training Instructors during and after basic military training starting from 2009 . Seventeen male instructors were accused of offenses ranging from seeking improper relationships to rape and 35 instructors were removed from their posts pending investigations . Nine of the accused instructors belonged to the 331st Training Squadron . The commander of the 331st Training Squadron , Lt . Col . Mike Paquette , was removed from command in June 2012 because of the problems in his unit . In August 2012 the commander of the 737th training group , Col . Glenn Palmer , was also relieved from his position due to the scandal . Events . Investigation into the scandal began in June 2011 when a trainee reported suspected sexual misconduct . In November , three instructors reported possible misconduct after overhearing fellow MTIs " talking about something that was completely unacceptable " according to General Edward Rice , head of the Air Education and Training Command . In June 2012 , Staff Sgt . Peter Vega - Maldonado made a plea deal , admitting to having an improper relationship and violating a no - contact order for which he received a 90 day jail sentence . He also agreed to testify against other accused MTI ’ s for immunity for other related crimes . It was later revealed Vega - Maldonado had sex with nine other trainees . The second case to proceed to court martial in the scandal was for Staff Sgt . Luis Walker of the 326th Training Squadron , involving 28 counts against him including charges of rape , aggravated sexual contact , and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault . Ten former trainees testified against Walker in his week long trial . He was accused of having sexual intercourse with four of the recruits . Walker was convicted on all 28 counts and was sentenced to 20 years in jail . Walker will also have to register as a sex offender . Tech . Sgt . Christopher Smith was charged with conducting an improper relationship with one trainee and seeking an improper , personal and intimate relationship with another trainee as well as obstruction of justice . The charges stemmed from an incident in spring 2011 when Smith drove two trainees off - base to meet with fellow instructor Master Sgt . Jamey Crawford . Smith was convicted and sentenced to 30 days confinement and reduction in rank to Airman First Class . Master Sgt . Jamey Crawford is accused of an improper sexual relationship , providing alcohol to a trainee , and committing adultery . Staff Sgt . Kwinton Estacio is charged with sexual misconduct with a basic training student , abusing his authority , and obstructing justice . Estacio faces a maximum punishment of 43 years confinement . Staff Sgt . Craig LeBlanc is charged with sexual misconduct , obstructing justice and making a false official statement . He is accused of using his post as a military instructor to sexually assault and pursue a sexual relationship with one female trainee , and having a wrongful sexual relationship with another . No trial date has been set .