Rapid Fall for Army General Accused of Sex Crimes With a single star studded on each shoulder of his immaculate dress blues, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair waited his turn to go through the metal detectors at the federal courthouse at Fort Bragg, just like everyone else. The 51-year-old general is believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer ever charged with sexual assault. Sinclair has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges including forcible sodomy, indecent acts and violating orders. His court-martial is scheduled to begin March 3. While Sinclair denies he physically forced a female captain to perform oral sex, the married father concedes he carried on a three-year extramarital affair with the junior officer. The case comes as the Pentagon is already grappling with a string of embarrassing revelations involving sexual misconduct within the ranks. Follow Associated Press writer at Michael Biesecker at Twitter.com/mbieseck