The first cadet to go to trial since the sexual assault scandal surfaced at the Air Force Academy, pleads guilty to reduced charges Tuesday.

Cadet Third Class, Douglas Meester faced a general court martial Tuesday morning. Originally Meester was charged with rape, forcible sodomy, conduct unbecoming of an officer, and giving alcohol to a minor all stemming from a 2002 incident in an academy dormitory. A freshman female cadet accused Meester of raping her after a party where she had been drinking. Had he been convicted on those charges, the sophmore could have faced life imprisonment and dismissal from the Air Force.

Instead, the charges against Meester were reduced to dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman and indecent acts. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges.

Meester received a sentence of a reprimand and a $2,000 fine.

Now, Cadet Meester will remain a member of the Air Force.

His case will next be reviewed by Academy Superintendent, Lieutenant General John Rosa.