Five 10th Mountain Soldiers Arrested for Rape Near Fort Polk

This article was originally published on Military.com Dec. 2, 2022. Follow Military.com on Twitter.

Five junior-enlisted soldiers stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, were arrested this week, facing rape charges, Military.com confirmed with Army officials Friday.

The soldiers, all infantryman with the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, which is based at Fort Polk, are accused of being involved in the drugging and raping of two women on Nov. 24.

"The Vernon Parish Sheriff's office is conducting an on-going investigation regarding the circumstances," a Fort Polk spokesperson told Military.com in a statement. "The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is providing support. The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk leadership continue to work closely with law enforcement officials."

Police say one of the two women attacked was "acquainted" with one of the soldiers who showed up to her Rosepine, Louisiana, home just outside of Fort Polk. That woman told authorities the soldier showed up with the other four soldiers the two women didn't know.

Both women said they felt unwell quickly after drinking with the soldiers and felt exaggerated impacts of intoxication and suspected their drinks were spiked, according to a statement from local authorities. Police say once the women were "incapacitated," each soldier "engaged in non-consensual sexual contact" with both victims.