Former Goodfellow Air Force Base Instructor Sentenced for Child Rape

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. — A retired Air Force master sergeant who once served as a chief instructor at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo was sentenced to up to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to raping three children.

William A. Brassfield, 63, was recalled to active duty for a court-martial and sentenced May 30 at Fort Novosel, Alabama. He will serve his sentence at the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was also reduced in rank to E-1 and will be required to register as a sex offender following his release.

Brassfield raped three children between 1989 and 2008 in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. The youngest was 6 years old during the abuse in San Angelo between October 2007 and October 2008. All three victims, now adults, testified during the trial.

The Army’s investigation began after the youngest victim reported the abuse while calling a suicide hotline in 2019. Investigators later uncovered additional allegations by interviewing Brassfield’s ex-wife and family members.

Because of statutes of limitations and legal jurisdiction rules, prosecutors said the full extent of the charges was limited, but the outcome still delivered justice.

“This conviction is the result of strength and courage of the women who survived the accused’s abuse and were willing to come forward and share the worst moments of their lives,” said Maj. Morghan Beaudoin, prosecutor, Third Circuit, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel. “Their faith in the military justice system, as well as the hard work and combined efforts of OSTC and the Fort Novosel military justice shop ensured the accused was properly punished for his crimes.”

“This result underscores our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for victims, even decades after the crimes occurred,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Coleman, Army CID’s Southern Field Office. “We know we cannot undo the harm these victims suffered, but Army CID remains committed to uncovering the truth and providing answers through thorough investigations.”

Brassfield retired in 2008 and was administratively assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade at Fort Novosel for the trial. The case was investigated by Army CID’s Southern Field Office and prosecuted by Beaudoin and Capt. Gabrielle Bloodsaw.

The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel independently prosecutes crimes such as sexual assault, child abuse and kidnapping through a nationwide network of military lawyers, legal professionals and support staff.