Hearing on gang initiation beating ends

[unhappycamper]

Hearing on gang initiation beating ends
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, December 20, 2007

RAMSTEIN, Germany — An Article 32 hearing ended Wednesday for the Ramstein Air Base airman accused of beating a soldier during a July 2005 initiation into the Gangster Disciples.

A recommendation now will be made as to whether Airman Nicholas A. Sims should face a court-martial for his alleged involvement in the gang and Army Sgt. Juwan Johnson’s fatal beating. Sims has been charged with manslaughter, assault and failure to obey an order. He also could face the additional charge of murder.

Testimony from the hearing provided new insights into the local Gangster Disciples group, led by former Ramstein Air Base airman Rico Williams. The new information came during the Monday testimony of Air Force Staff Sgt. Themitrios Saroglou, who described several gang initiations, including Johnson’s and his own.

Saroglou’s knowledge of the gang comes from the years he served at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center between December 2002 and November 2006. Saroglou could not remember specifically when he was beaten into the gang, but he did serve as the group’s treasurer.

Although Williams said he was trying to build a “money-making organization” and not a gang, he would order gang members and potential gang members to attack people, Saroglou said. Williams’ money-making plan involved gang members using their Veterans Affairs loans to buy an apartment complex in Germany, which they would then rent to U.S. servicemembers, Saroglou said. However, the group never attempted the business venture.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51141