Former Air Force chief master sergeant sentenced in drunken driving death

An Air Force chief master sergeant was sentenced to up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to a 2016 drunken driving death.

Hector Soler, the former security forces manager for the 4th Security Forces Squadron, was charged with killing a teenager while Soler was driving drunk in December 2016, Air Force Times reported at the time.

Soler, who was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, retired as a senior master sergeant in August 2017.

The Goldsboro News-Argus reported that Soler was sentenced on Wednesday in the death of 17-year-old Johny Watson.

RELATED

Chief master sergeant charged with killing teen in drunk driving accident has retired at a lower rank

Hector Soler, who is accused of killing a teenager while driving drunk last year, retired in August at a reduced rank.

By Stephen Losey

Watson died several days after the incident, in which Soler crashed into the back of Watson’s Jeep, the newspaper reported.

According to court records, Soler’s blood-alcohol content was 0.16. In North Carolina, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle with an alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.

Squadron Commander Maj. Gilbert Wyche was relieved of his command a few weeks later.

Soler pleaded guilty to the charges of death by motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated, resulting in a sentence of 51 to 74 months in prison.

According to the Goldsboro News-Argus, Soler apologized to Watson’s family.

“I’m so sorry for my actions that night,” he said. “I’m sorry for the pain that I have caused you.”

In Other News

VA leaders to halt mortgage rescue program launched last year

The Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program aimed to help financially strapped veterans get lower interest rates and avoid eviction from their homes.

Watchdog to investigate Hegseth’s sharing of airstrike info on Signal

The Defense Inspector General's Office will look into whether the defense secretary improperly shared sensitive information on the commercial app.

Plan would make military enlistment, retention bonuses tax exempt

A bill introduced in the House this week proposes to end federal taxes on bonuses given to troops for joining or re-enlisting in the military.

Senator vows to hold all VA nominees over planned staff cuts

Plans to cut more than 80,000 staffers from VA offices would severely hurt benefits delivery, said Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps vet.

VA unveils next 13 sites for electronic health record rollout

VA planners want to speed the rollout of their controversial electronic health records overhaul project with more than a dozen new sites in 2026.

Hegseth orders review of physical standards for military combat roles

Women already must pass gender-neutral physical fitness requirements for combat posts, but Hegseth contends the standards for women are lower.

Confirmation hearing set on Trump’s pick for Joint Chiefs chairman

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 31, 2025.

Lawmaker warns government ‘savings’ could cost vets critical services

Democrats must highlight the dangers of planned VA cuts to both veterans and the public, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano said.

Military stores prepare for tariffs, aiming to keep costs down

Military store officials expect tariffs to affect exchanges, including the availability and cost of certain items.

Senate confirms former VA benefits chief as new deputy secretary

Army veteran Paul Lawrence will serve as the second-ranking leader at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Load More