"Accused Antarctic Assailant Sent to Remote Icefield with Grad Students: 2 Weeks Later"

A man accused of physically assaulting a woman at a U.S. research station in Antarctica was sent to a remote icefield in a critical safety role, tasked with protecting a professor and three young graduate students. The man remained at the icefield for a week after a warrant for his arrest was issued. The case raises questions about decision-making in the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is already under scrutiny for minimizing claims of sexual harassment or assault. The man has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault and the case is set to go to trial.