Airman pleads guilty, sentenced for lewd act with a child under 16 Published July 21, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A student Airman from the 361st Training Squadron here was sentenced to 5 months confinement, forfeiture of $1021 and written reprimand for his file after pleading guilty to two charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice during a court-martial July 18, 2014. Airman Benjamin Peck pled guilty to charges of sexual assault of a child and general article, which is using the internet to entice a minor. As a result of the guilty plea, Peck may be required to register as a convicted sex offender. Peck met the teen in an anonymous chatroom October 2012, they began chatting using other social media outlets as well. Peck admitted that he knew she was 15 when they met online. After his completion of basic military training in late August 2013, Peck and the teen continued to remain in contact with each other, the only difference being the nature of the communication. What was once innocent conversation between friends, turned sexual. On Oct. 15, 2013, the teen's parents found out about their daughter's relationship with the now 23 year-old-man. They viewed the pictures and texts that were exchanged, which were intimate in nature and tone. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations became involved shortly after. After all of the evidence was examined, Peck addressed the courtroom prior to his sentencing. "I owe an apology to this court, my unit and my family," Peck said. Once sentenced, Peck was handcuffed and led away to begin serving his confinement.