Lt Col Joe Derrick Curtis: Ex-wife slams US Army for not firing officer found guilty of 'prostitution'
FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA: Lieutenant Colonel Joe Derrick Curtis was permitted to continue serving in the US Army Cyber Command even as he was being investigated for multiple allegations of rape, emotional abuse, pimping out his wife, and cheating with prostitutes. These allegations were brought forward in 2019 by his now ex-wife, Cori Jensen.
After being found guilty of "patronizing prostitutes and adultery" by a military judge over a 12-year period, Curtis received a reprimand in May 2021 but was allowed to keep his position in the US Army Cyber Command. Jensen claims he received no further punishment, demotion, or dismissal for his offenses. In an exclusive interview, she criticized the Army's handling of the case.
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"I believe the Army didn't want to have to deal with it," Daily Mail quoted Jensen as saying. "I wonder how many people like me have been swept under the rug." The investigation into the allegations of threatening phone calls and sexual assault against Curtis is still ongoing. Despite receiving a reprimand in May 2021 for patronizing prostitutes and committing adultery over a 12-year period, it seems that Curtis, who prefers to go by his middle name Derrick, persisted in his relationships with sex workers. In July last year, a woman who posted explicit photos on social media and described her occupation as "'making sure your husband comes home happy", shared a picture of herself in a bathing suit with Curtis's face on it, per Daily Mail.
Who is Lt Col Joe Derrick Curtis?
Lt Col Curtis is currently serving as the Branch Chief of US Army Enterprise Services at the US Army Cyber Command, a position he has held since December 2017. He has been a part of the Army Cyber Command for over five years and is based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He has a Master of Science degree in Software and System Security from the University of Oxford, which he obtained from 2015 to 2018. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from West Point.
Army documents reveal Jensen's claims of multiple rapes by Curtis, including an incident in which her mother allegedly heard through the wall of their apartment. In addition, a previous wife wrote a letter to prosecutors stating that Curtis sexually assaulted her during their relationship. According to Jensen, Curtis attempted to get her to have sex with other men at clubs in Washington, DC, which he referred to as "hotwifing". She also alleges that Curtis has been stalking and harassing her since they separated.
Last year, Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman wrote to top military officials requesting a review of Curtis' case and an investigation into the alleged abuse. The scandal prompted Bergman's office to receive threatening calls from a man believed to be Curtis, warning that he would use his firearms if Bergman did not withdraw the letter. Bergman reported the calls to the Capitol Police.
Lt Col Curtis' sexual assault charges dropped due to lack of evidence
Initially, investigators determined that there was enough evidence to take action against Curtis based on the credible accounts of two women, including allegations of sexual assault, prostitution, obstruction of justice, and battery. However, the sexual assault charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence after Jensen agreed to a civil settlement with Curtis. He was ultimately found guilty and reprimanded only for the charge of pandering, while the Army's investigation into other allegations remains ongoing.
Curtis received a memorandum of reprimand for patronizing prostitutes and committing adultery from Major General Omar Jones on May 26, 2021. Jones confirmed Curtis "admitted" to "seeing prostitutes in 2001 and continued to patronize them through 2013" and noted he had been married "to two different women during that time period."
"Additionally, you patronized prostitutes as recently as 2017, also while married," the Major General wrote. "As a commissioned officer, you are expected to exhibit high moral standards and behave with decency and decorum. You failed. Your lack of judgment and disgraceful behavior have seriously compromised your character and standing as an officer in the United States Army."