He was once the Army’s top enlisted man. Now he’s facing charges that could land him in jail.
Manassas resident Gene McKinney, 59, was arrested last week and charged with attempted malicious wounding for an incident that happened in Pentagon City on October 25.
McKinney allegedly picked up commuters from a slug line that Monday morning. He was driving north toward Washington when his passengers demanded to be let out of the car because he was driving erratically, according to arlnow.com.
McKinney let them out on the 1100 block of South Eads Street, according to the site. One man took out a camera and tried to snap a photo of McKinney’s license plate. That’s when the former top soldier hit the gas and struck the man with his car, police said.
McKinney served as the 10th Sergeant Major of the Army from 1995 to 1997.
He is the only African-American soldier ever to hold the post. His career as SMA came to an abrupt end when he was accused of sexual harassment. He was removed from the job and busted back to Command Sergeant Major while the allegations were investigated. At a court martial, McKinney was eventually acquitted of sexual harassment charges but convicted of obstruction of justice. He was spared a jail sentence but reprimanded and reduced another pay grade to Master Sergeant.
McKinney has been released on bond for the malicious wounding charge.
