Military panel finds Army officer guilty of domestic violence during Fort Lee trial

FORT LEE, Va. – An Army logistics officer was convicted of domestic violence crimes by a military panel during his trial Oct. 26-30 at the Fort Lee cour… FORT LEE, Va. – An Army logistics officer was convicted of domestic violence crimes by a military panel during his trial Oct. 26-30 at the Fort Lee courtroom. Capt. Austin D. Barker, 28, assigned to the Army Sustainment University Support Battalion at Fort Lee, was sentenced by the military judge to four months in prison and a dismissal from the Army. On various occasions between January and November 2022, Barker physically assaulted his intimate partner, a junior enlisted Soldier, when he lived in Petersburg, Virginia, and later in Hopewell, Virginia.

She did not report the incidents at that time for fear of reprisal. Years later, the victim came forward with the allegations after seeing Barker at Fort Lee in January 2025. She provided investigators several photographs of injuries inflicted by Barker, as well as an incriminating doorbell camera video. “Capt. Barker’s conviction and dismissal have provided closure on a chapter of pain on the part of the crime victim. This sentence also sends a message to the force that the Army holds officers accountable for their conduct, on or off duty, and that we do not tolerate domestic violence by any Soldier,”