On 29 May 2024, at a special court-martial convened at Fort Liberty, NC, SSG Abel M. Hopper, U.S. Army, was convicted by a military judge, pursuant to his pleas, of one specification of disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer and one specification of assault consummated by a battery in violation of Articles 89 and 128, UCMJ. The military judge sentenced the accused to be reduced to the grade of E-5 and to be confined for 20 days. The sentence was consistent with the terms of a plea agreement.