Sgt. Paul A. Thames pleaded guilty to domestic violence during a court-martial Oct. 7 at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center at Fort Hood, according to Defense News.
A military judge sentenced Thames to one year in prison and a bad-conduct discharge from the Army. He received 181 days of confinement credit for time served before trial.
Thames, an automated logistics specialist assigned to the 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was caring for his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son at her Waco apartment on Jan. 16, 2026, the report said. A neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera captured him striking the child and lifting him by the head and neck.
The court-martial and sentencing took place on Oct. 7; the report was published Oct. 9.
