USAF sgt. admits sex counts, blames 'cycle of sin'

MASCOUTAH, Ill. - A senior Air Force sergeant pleaded guilty yesterday to sexual misconduct and adultery, blaming extramarital affairs he had with married female subordinates and inappropriate sexual advances he made toward others on getting "caught up in a cycle of sin."

Chief Master Sgt. William Gurney was the senior enlisted man at the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio, when allegations of sexual impropriety surfaced in 2009.

While entering guilty pleas to 13 counts at Scott Air Force Base, the 27-year Air Force veteran told Col. W. Thomas Cumbie, the military judge overseeing his case, about indiscretions dating back to mid-2007.

He said he had had sex with four married women based at Wright-Patterson who were lower in rank than he.

He said he also exchanged sexually explicit pictures with and kissed or fondled female subordinates.

"I was caught in a cycle of sin," Gurney said, before admitting that he "failed not only as an airman but as a husband."

Gurney still faces five counts to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Those counts allege that he made sexual advances toward two subordinates that amounted to mistreatment, that he fondled one of those women and that he abused his authority.

Gurney could face up to 14 1/2 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge for the charges he pleaded guilty to yesterday, and an additional four years if convicted of the five other counts.

Opening statements in his trial at Scott Air Force Base were to begin today.

Among the charges to which Gurney pleaded guilty were seven counts of dereliction of duty - one for each enlisted woman he was accused of making inappropriate advances toward - and four counts of adultery.

He also admitted to using his military-issued cell phone and computer to exchange explicit e-mails and texts.

He also pleaded guilty to having had sex with his wife while a female enlistee watched.