Schriever airman linked to white supremacist group gets demoted, could be discharged
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Tech Sgt. Cory Allen Reeves of Schriever Air Force Base was demoted from Master Sergeant and could be kicked out of the military after he was identified as an active member of a known white supremacist group.
That's according to Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek, who says discharge proceedings are also pending against Reeves after an Air Force investigation into his actions. The new development was first reported by Denver Westword.
We reported in April when Reeves was under investigation for passing out propaganda as part of the Identity Evropa group, which was one of the most active white supremacist groups in recent years, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Identity Evropa rebranded itself as the American Identity Movement earlier this year.
Photos and chat logs linking Reeves to the group were first published by the Colorado Springs Anti-Fascists group.
Reeves said in a chat that he was the only Identity Evropa member in Hawaii before he moved to Colorado. He was stationed at Buckley AFB before moving to Colorado Springs.
Photos of Reeves at IE events have appeared on Anti-Fascist websites for at least several weeks, and one chat log from Reeves says, "High-resolution photos of my face are all over Antifa websites and they are clueless to my identity."
A spokesperson with Schriever AFB's Public Affairs Office said at the time, "Racism, hatred, and bigotry have no place in the Air Force, and we're committed to a culture where all airmen can feel welcome and thrive."
Reeves was still active duty in the Air Force while the investigation took place. His demotion to E-6 happened on Sept. 11, according to the Air Force.
Westword published an article on Monday decrying the Air Force's response to the investigation. On Tuesday, Stefanek sent a statement to Westword saying that the discharge proceedings are pending.
We requested information and received the same statement, which says Reeves is entitled to a board hearing in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen.
The Air Force is committed to maintaining a culture where all Airmen feel welcome and can thrive, will hold Airmen accountable when misconduct is alleged, and will ensure Airmen alleged to have committed misconduct receive their due process rights afforded by law and regulations. The Air Force will make no further comment concerning pending administrative actions in this matter until they are completed.
Ann Stefanek, Chief Media Operations, U.S. Air Force
We have submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations to obtain a copy of the investigation report.
The Air Force didn't specify when Reeves would face discharge proceedings. Stefanek said the branch wouldn't make any further comment until the administrative actions in this matter are completed.
