Woman, Fort Sill Marine face sex charges
Case involves 12-year-old
RON JACKSON
Published: July 3, 2009
Modified: July 6, 2009 at 10:56 am
FORT SILL — More details are likely to emerge as the investigation continues into sex parties said to involve a 12-year-old girl, a 33-year-old mother of three and U.S. Marines stationed at Fort Sill, Comanche County District Attorney Fred Smith said Thursday.
Smith filed the first of what could be several charges this week, felony accusations against
Lance Cpl. Logan Bryan Combs and
Amy Marie Rivera of Fletcher. At least two other Marines are suspected of having sex with the girl and could face criminal charges, Smith said. They are now at other military installations — transfers unrelated to the criminal investigation, Smith said.
Combs, 19, faces a first-degree rape charge for engaging in sexual intercourse with a sixth-grade girl who reportedly accompanied Rivera to hotel parties with groups of Marines. Combs told investigators he thought the girl was 17 and that "he didn’t even know her last name.” He could be sentenced to no fewer than five years in prison if convicted.
Rivera, 33, was charged with procuring a child for lewdness or other indecent acts and faces one to 10 years in prison if convicted. A court affidavit states Rivera befriended the girl — a classmate of her son — and began taking her to parties where they participated in orgies of sex, alcohol and drugs.
On one occasion, the affidavit states, Rivera and the girl engaged in "lesbian play acts” for the Marines, kissing and slapping each other.
"It’s not the most surprising case, but it’s right in the top 10,” said Smith, a 22-year legal veteran who recently replaced retiring District Attorney Robert Schulte.
Smith described Rivera as "a party girl” who used the 12-year-old to lure young Marines to the parties. The child has been placed in a shelter.
"This situation — this scenario — is exactly why the statutes are written the way they are,” Smith said. "A 12-year-old child does not have the maturity to respond to these types of situations. ... And here was a mother of three who endangered her own children by leaving them so she could go off and party.”
In a news release, authorities at the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in
Quantico, Va., stated, "We are cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the investigation.” Fort Sill spokeswoman
Emily Kelley said there are about 400 Marines stationed at the post studying artillery.
The sexual allegations surfaced after Combs and the child were seen at a Fort Sill swimming pool engaging in "inappropriate behavior,” Smith said.
Investigators learned there was more to the relationship and then learned that Rivera had housed the child the past two months.
The child told investigators they participated in "six to eight parties” at
Lawton hotels between March and June, court records state.
During that time she claimed to have engaged in sex with three Marines and kissed and touched others, all with Rivera’s knowledge.
She said Rivera was present during several of the sexual encounters.
Rivera is in jail on a $7,500 bail her husband refuses to pay, Smith said. Rivera’s husband, a Marine, recently returned from
Iraq and, Smith said, has asked for reassignment to another base. The Riveras’ children were placed in protective custody, Smith said.
Combs remains in jail with bail set at $30,000.
CONTRIBUTING:
Staff Writer Johnny Johnson
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