Former Fort Bragg soldier sentenced to life for sexual assault of minor

Jul. 9--A soldier was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for aggravated sexual assault of a minor, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.

Daniel Kemp Sr., 51, of Cameron, pleaded guilty to the charge Dec. 11.

"According to facts presented in the guilty plea hearings, Kemp Sr. was employed by the U.S. Army as an active-duty member when he forcibly raped a minor victim," officials with U.S. Attorney Robert Higdon Jr.'s office said.

District Court Chief Judge Terrence W. Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina sentenced Kemp, who was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service on Wednesday.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI.

A criminal complaint filed by the FBI on April 18, 2019, said Kemp was stationed at Fort Bragg in July 2016.

In April 2017, one of the victims told a teacher, guidance counselor, social worker and Army Criminal Investigations Command agent that Kemp sexually assaulted her, court documents state.

The victim showed the teacher photos of physical abuse and said Kemp forced her to watch pornographic videos.

The criminal complaint alleges six victims made complaints, including the first victim's later complaints of forced sexual acts and rape.

The criminal complaint said that swabs were taken from five victims, and Kemp's DNA was a match.

Army officials said Kemp was a chief warrant officer four assigned to the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, which is based at Fort Knox, Kentucky, at the time of his sentencing.

He joined the Army on Aug. 28, 1991, and was appointed a chief warrant officer one on June 8, 2004.

"The Army takes instances of sexual assault seriously and has cooperated with civilian authorities in this matter," officials with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command said.

A news release from the command said it will take appropriate action against Kemp based on his federal civilian conviction.

Soldiers are dishonorably discharged or dismissed from the Army based only on a valid court martial conviction and sentence under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, officials said.

"Any further action to be taken by the Army is still pending," Army officials said.

The U.S. District Court case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson and trial attorney Kaylynn Foulon of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

Officials said the case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528

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