By Associated Press
Fort Bragg, N.C. – Fort Bragg soldier pleads guilty to raping woman
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) An Oklahoma soldier could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to rape and burglary after assaulting a military wife at Fort Bragg last year.
Multiple media organizations report that 23-year-old Aaron Pernell of Tulsa, Okla., pleaded guilty Wednesday as his court-martial opened.
Civilian law officers say the 82nd Airborne Division soldier is a suspect in assaults and break-ins involving at least seven women in neighboring Fayetteville and Hoke County.
Pernell pleaded not guilty to another burglary charge and to housebreaking. A trial on those charges began Wednesday.
Investigators said at least two men committed the series of assaults in and around Fort Bragg since 2008, but a second suspect has not been found.