Keesler airman convicted of multiple charges of sexual assault on a minor

An airman at Keesler Air Force Base will spend time in prison for sexually assaulting a minor.

Rodney Tyler, 44, was arrested June 30 by military police at Keesler Air Force Base on two counts of sexual assault of a minor, two counts of indecent liberties with a child, indecent acts and sexual assault causing bodily harm to another person.

Tyler was a master sergeant at the time of his arrest at Keesler.

A spokesman for the U.S. Air Force said Tyler was found guilty of "illegal sexual conduct with a minor."

He was sentenced to a bad conduct charge, four-and-a-half years of confinement and a demotion from E-7 to E-4, the spokesman said.

Tyler is being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center until he is transferred to a federal prison. Military officials said Tyler has yet to be assigned to a facility.

"These unlawful actions are not in keeping with Air Force core values and will not be tolerated by the Air Force," said Capt. David J Murphy.

This story was originally published July 3, 2018 at 9:40 AM.