In a notable judgment this past Saturday, Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart was acquitted of sexually assaulting a female officer under his command, marking the conclusion of just the second court-martial faced by a general in the Air Force's history. The military jury, composed of eight three-star generals, deliberated for over seven hours across two days before delivering the verdict, as reported by Express-News. Despite the significant sexual assault charges, the focus of the trial, Stewart was ultimately not convicted on those counts.

While Stewart avoided what could have been up to 30 years of imprisonment for each sexual assault count, he was found guilty on other serious charges, including dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming of an officer. The dereliction of duty conviction was related to Stewart controlling an aircraft within 12 hours after drinking, breaking Air Force regulations. Added to the rap sheet, were two other offenses to which Stewart already had pleaded guilty, ultimately resulting in a array of punishments such as two months' confinement to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, a forfeiture of $60,000 in pay over six months, a reprimand, and possible rank reduction, as per TPR.

The allegations arose from an incident that purportedly occurred at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where Stewart, then commander of the San Antonio-based 19th Air Force, was accused of sexually assaulting a female officer during a business trip in April 2023. Throughout his trial, the accused maintained that the incident was consensual. However, the presiding court-martial judge, Col. Matthew Stoffel, harshly remarked to Stewart that, "You've thrown a lot away as a result of your actions," and highlighted the negative impact of alcohol on the situation, according to Express-News.

Stewart, who has more than 2,600 flying hours, including over 600 in combat, pleaded with the judge during the sentencing hearing, expressing disappointment in himself and evoking his deep military roots. According to TPR, he shared, "I wanted to be a fighter pilot since I was 7," showing his attachment to a lifelong dream and his wish to not be dismissed from service. Despite the defense's objections, a victim impact statement from the female officer was allowed, in which she claimed, "I never wanted any of this," highlighting her resolve to come forward for the sake of her daughter and fellow airmen.

While Stewart's official rank is still subject to potential reduction, which would require approval by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III, and could significantly affect his military pension, his immediate future within the Air Force remains in a secondary role in a staff position at the Air Education and Training Command. Stewart's accuser, meanwhile, is a decorated aircraft commander with her own aspirations within the Air Force, which she testifies have been irrevocably altered by the incident.