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A former soldier stationed at Fort Bliss has received a prison sentence exceeding eight years for his involvement in the sexual abuse of a minor, highlighting serious concerns surrounding the safety of young individuals within military settings. Carlos Humberto Richard Walsh, aged 23 and from Everett, Washington, has been sentenced to a total of eight years and four months in federal prison for one count of sexual abuse of a minor, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
Following his prison term, Walsh will also face five years of supervised release, according to federal court records. The sentence was delivered by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama on January 22 at the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse located in Downtown El Paso. A hearing to address restitution in this case is scheduled for March 27.
Walsh entered a guilty plea on August 13 as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. He has been held in custody since May 25, 2023, after a federal magistrate deemed him a risk to both the victim and the surrounding community.
At the time of the offenses, Walsh held the rank of private first class with the 1st Armored Division and was based at Fort Bliss. The abuse of the teenage girl was reported to have occurred multiple times in the quarters at the base between October 1, 2022, and approximately January 24, 2023.
Details of the Abuse
Federal prosecutor Sarah Valenzuela disclosed during a detention hearing that Walsh engaged in sexual relations with the minor on four to five occasions within the barracks. An investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division was initiated after a commanding officer spotted Walsh with the girl on the military base.
Investigative testimony suggested that Walsh had shared a private room with the girl in the barracks. Furthermore, he reportedly continued to communicate with her via text and social media, despite violating a military protective order intended to keep him away from her.
The investigation took a troubling turn when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) found the young girl with a man involved in her exploitation, linking her back to Walsh through her mobile phone. Despite claims from the girl that their relationship was consensual, agents testified that she felt coerced into sexual activity.
Obsession and Disturbing Behavior
During the proceedings, it was emphasized that Walsh displayed obsessive behavior regarding the victim. Just days before his arrest, he posted a poignant video on Facebook where he displayed a tattoo dedicated to her, which included her initials enclosed in a heart.
This tattoo, which he had flaunted in other posts, seemingly underscored his fixation, as he had also shared messages implying an unbreakable bond. Such alarming behavior raises questions about the accountability and psychological support available to military personnel.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former Fort Bliss soldier sentenced for sexual abuse of young girl
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