Army Staff Sgt. Rodney S. Sneed III sentenced to 31 years for child rape

Staff Sgt. Rodney S. Sneed III, 35, has been sentenced to 31 years in prison following a military court-martial at Fort Riley. Sneed, an M1 Armor Crewmember assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, pleaded guilty to raping a child.

The investigation began after an 11-year-old victim informed a friend of the assault, leading to a report by a school guidance counselor to the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). During interviews, the victim revealed that Sneed had repeatedly raped her over several years. Medical forensic exams at a hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, confirmed the sexual assault.

In addition to his prison sentence, Sneed received a dishonorable discharge from the Army. He will serve his confinement at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon his release, he will be required to register as a sex offender under both federal and state laws.