Jeffrey Krusinski, head of U.S. Air Force sexual assault prevention unit, charged with sexual battery
(CBS/AP) ARLINGTON, Va. - A U.S. Air Force officer who led the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit has been charged after authorities allege he groped a woman in a northern Virginia parking lot.
Arlington County Police said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusisnki of Arlington, Va. faces a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery following an alleged assault about 12:30 a.m. Sunday .
According to a police report, 41-year-old Krusinski was drunk and grabbed a woman's breast and buttocks. Police say the woman fought him off and called police.
A police spokesperson said Krusinski did not know the woman involved.
Air Force spokeswoman Natasha Waggoner said Krusinski was removed from his position at the Air Force after they learned of his arrest. He started in the post in February.
Waggoner said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been trying to raise the Pentagon's focus on sexual assault prevention and response, and soon will announce new steps to address "this vile crime."
"Sexual assault has no place in the United States military," said Pentagon press secretary George Little in a statement Monday. "The American people, including our service members, should expect a culture of absolutely no tolerance for this deplorable behavior that violates not only the law, but basic principles of respect, honor, and dignity in our society and its military. Secretary Hagel is firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of behavior in America's armed forces and will take action to see this through."
Krusinski was released Sunday on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
