Trial date set for Air Force's sex assault prevention chief charged with sexual battery

ARLINGTON, Va. A judge has set a July 18 trial date for an Air Force officer who led the branch's sex assault response unit until he was charged with sexual battery.

Forty-one-year-old Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski appeared Thursday at an arraignment in Arlington County General District Court.

Arlington police say he groped a woman in a parking lot early Sunday in a section of Crystal City that is home to several popular nightspots.

Krusinski and his lawyer, Sheryl Shane, declined comment after the hearing.

The Air Force removed Krusinski from his post after it learned of his arrest, which was first reported by ARLnow.com.

Shane argued for a later trial date, saying she might have numerous witnesses and need a significant investigation.

If convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.

• Air Force's sexual assault prevention chief arrested for sexual assault
• New figures show sexual assault in the U.S. military is on the rise

The Pentagon said Tuesday sexual assault in the ranks is rising rapidly.

CBS News correspondent David Martin reports that just last spring, trials began for 33 instructors at one air base accused of assaulting 63 recruits.

Asked about the issue, President Barack Obama seemed to have run out of patience.

"If we find out somebody's engaging in this stuff, they've got to be held accountable. Prosecuted, stripped of their positions. Court-martialed. Fired. Dishonorably discharged. Period," he said.

The new Pentagon report says the incidents of sexual assault against women in the military is just over 6 percent. CBS News research found the incidence in the general population is 2 percent.