Fort Bragg soldier charged with burglaries, sexual assault

Pernell, 22, of 500 Regency Drive in Fayetteville, is an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. His alleged crimes took place in December in the Ste. Mere Eglise neighborhood, authorities said.

Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (Army CID) said they are working "very closely" with the Fayetteville Police Department in the case.

Police in Fayetteville are investigating a series of recent burglaries and sexual assaults.

Six women in Fayetteville and a seventh in Hope Mills reported sexually assaults since late June. In each case, the victim said a man who broke the home – usually an apartment – late at night while they were alone, according to police reports. In an eighth case, a burglar tried to sexually assault a Fayetteville woman before fleeing.

Pernell, 22, has not been charged in any of the reported sexual attacks in Fayetteville, authorities said.

According to CID, Pernell entered the Army in March 2006. The Tulsa, Okla., native completed his initial entry training at Fort Benning, Ga.

CID is asking anyone with additional information related to the case to call 910-391-3542 or the Military Police at 910-396-0392.