being McKinney's twin brother, James C. McKinney; the other Jerry T. Alley—took over his duties in rotation. While McKinney was suspended from his duties as Sergeant Major of the Army, five more female soldiers accused him of similar improprieties. In November 1997, the Article 32 investigating panel (U.S. military counterpart to a grand jury) completed its investigation and recommended charges for a court-martial. McKinney was thereupon permanently reassigned out of his billet and laterally redesignated to the rank of Command Sergeant Major; his successor, Robert E. Hall, was promptly installed. McKinney was acquitted of all sexual harassment charges, but was convicted of obstruction of justice and received a reduction in grade to Master Sergeant and a reprimand. Though he retired as a Master Sergeant, his retirement pay was calculated using the pay rate he earned during his tenure as Sergeant Major of the Army, in accordance with 10 USC § 1406(i)(1). That law was subsequently amended by 10 USC § 1406(i)(2)(A) to prevent a recurrence. Felony vehicular charge On October 25, 2010, McKinney allegedly hit a man with his car on purpose, and was charged with felony malicious wounding. This occurred following an incident in which McKinney drove erratically after picking up two slug passengers in Occoquan, Virginia. When the passengers exited the car, one of them attempted to take a photograph of McKinney's license plate, and claimed that McKinney drove his car into him. Based on the preliminary hearing in April 2011, a judge ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to proceed to trial. McKinney was indicted for malicious wounding (a felony) and reckless driving (a misdemeanor). McKinney submitted an Alford plea, which the court accepted. As a part of his plea agreement the felony charge was reduced to disorderly conduct. He was also sentenced to twelve months of incarceration, of which the judge suspended all but 10 days. McKinney was given credit for time served and only had to serve an additional two days. Awards and decorations 9 Service stripes. References External links CNN story on McKinney's acquittal 1950 births Living people United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War African-American United States Army personnel Sergeants Major of the Army Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Army personnel who were court-martialed 20th-century American criminals 21st-century American criminals American male criminals Criminals from Florida Sexual harassment in the United States Identical twins American twins