Military pimp allowed to be a foster parent because the Army didn't report a conviction

When military branches don’t submit criminal convictions to the FBI, it impacts more than just gun purchases.

In the case of former U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen, a man who two years ago pleaded guilty to pimping out female soldiers to higher-ranking officers in a prostitution ring at Fort Hood was allowed to be a foster parent in Texas.

Failure to report convictions

The Army failed to submit McQueen’s criminal record to the FBI database used for background checks. While it showed up in the database used by gun dealers, it didn’t show up in the one used by licensing agencies.

News reports of the charges can be found online dating back to 2014, such as this one:

McQueen and his wife were allowed to serve as foster parents for the Lighthouse Family Network of Salado for three months before they were delisted once the contractor found out about the convictions.

McQueen’s crimes

McQueen faced 40 years in prison before accepting a plea deal for charges, including pandering, conspiracy to solicit prostitution and mistreatment of a subordinate. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 24 months in prison.

Court documents show he was accused of recruiting female soldiers with financial problems to have sex with higher-ranking officers, telling them they could make “easy money” by providing “tension relief.”

What the Army said

An Army spokesman admitted the error and said they were working on solutions.

“We not only acknowledge this error, but, more importantly, are taking corrective action to ensure we fully share information with appropriate law enforcement agencies,” spokesman Michael Brady said.

A serious problem

It was a similar lapse in data reporting by the Air Force that allowed Devin Kelley to purchase a gun before shooting and killing 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November.

“Background checks are important tools to help screen for potential issues,” said Christine Mann, a spokeswoman for Texas Health and Human Services. “When it comes to vetting potential foster parents, it’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure that criminal databases contain the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information.”

(H/T The Dallas Morning News)