Coast Guard officer faces 31 charges


By RACHEL D'ORO
The Associated Press

(11/03/09 15:26:23)

A senior Coast Guard official was charged Tuesday with multiple offenses, including sodomy, indecent acts and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman.

The U.S. Coast Guard filed 31 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice against Capt. Herbert M. Hamilton III, 48. He is accused of sexual improprieties involving multiple women -- some identified as enlisted Coast Guard personnel -- in numerous locations around Alaska and the Lower 48.

The alleged offenses also include fraud, adultery, indecent language and soliciting another to commit an offense. The allegations cover a period between November 2004 and shortly before Hamilton was relieved of his duties as the Coast Guard's commander for the Anchorage sector in May.

Hamilton, who is known as Mark, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Military charging documents obtained by The Associated Press say Hamilton used a government cell phone to send and receive sexual and amorous text messages, downloaded and stored sexually explicit material on his government-issued laptop computer and photographed sexual acts.

According to the documents, Hamilton was on active duty in February and called the Anchorage sector command center while "engaged in sexual activity." Another time, the documents said, he sent lewd photographs of himself to a woman.

When Hamilton was removed from his duties, the Coast Guard cited alleged misconduct and a loss of confidence in Hamilton's ability to command.

During the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, Hamilton was temporarily assigned to the staff of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, which covers Alaska.

Coast Guard officials said the charges will be heard at a formal hearing where Hamilton will have the right to question witnesses. A date has not been set.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Eric Eggen said an investigating officer at the hearing will look into the allegations and recommend how the case should proceed. Possibilities include trying those or other charges at a general court-martial or dropping the charges altogether.

Eggen said the final determination will be made by Rear Admiral Christopher Colvin, district commander. Meanwhile, the investigation continues.

Hamilton took the Anchorage position in August 2008 and previously served as deputy commander for Coast Guard operations in the Los Angeles area.

The Anchorage role includes diverse duties, such as verifying compliance of fishing vessels in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, and inspecting vessels transporting freight and passengers between the Lower 48 and western Alaska.

Another mission is inspecting waterfront facilities, tank ships and barges associated with the oil industry.

[url=http://www.adn.com/news/military/story/998352.html]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1110,

Crime doesn't pay.

Just because someone was charged, it doesn't mean he or she is guilty. Some of those charges sound like BS to me. So freakin what if he called while engaged in sexual activity, its his freakin business.

T

Militia,

Did you miss where all the evidence mentioned in this story? The hearing will determine what course to take. I find it rather disgusting if he did call while engage is sex acts. Pretty perverted sounding. I feel for his wife and family..what a tradegy..sexual perversion is powerful and has runied many a lives...

what about the OS that took the phone call? I'm sure he or she cares...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sparks1993,

quote:

So freakin what if he called while engaged in sexual activity, its his freakin business.

So what if the Sector Commander is actively engaged in a sexual encounter while on the phone with his Command Center? Are you freakin kidding?

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:

quote:

So freakin what if he called while engaged in sexual activity, its his freakin business.

So what if the Sector Commander is actively engaged in a sexual encounter while on the phone with his Command Center? Are you freakin kidding?

Its his business. Since when did the CG become the bedroom police? While I am certainly not endorsing or condoning any of these activities, the fact remains that stacking charges doesnt mean much of anything. What a person chooses to do in their home, for the most part, isnt anyone's business as long as its legal. Now I assume he stopped long enough to make this call.

T

quote:

Now I assume he stopped long enough to make this call.

That would be where we are reading it differently. I would be more than willing to bet my Harley on the fact that it would never come up or even be known if your assumption was true.

As far as stacking charges goes, well it is most often a result of someone not getting caught until they have done a ****load of stupid/illegal stuff!

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:

quote:

Now I assume he stopped long enough to make this call.

That would be where we are reading it differently. I would be more than willing to bet my Harley on the fact that it would never come up or even be known if your assumption was true.

Well, you've got a valid point there. Trying to avoid giggling over this discussion. You've got to admit there is a little comedy here.

Humor for sure! I imagine the recording of the conversation could be sold for some good money. But than there is some scary stuff too. Phones calls between a Sector Commander and their Command Center usually involve some pretty darned important facts leading to very serious decisions. Someone without the self control to turn down the football game, hand the crying baby to her husband, stop the lawnmower or stop the referenced activity has no bussiness in that job, getting a six figure annual income or even a near six figure retirement. Forget everything else.

What people do in the privacy of their own home isn't anyone elses business, unless they MAKE it other people business by their actions. Like... oh... example... calling the Command Center with the porn volume blasting in the background.

Command Center: Good Evening Captain. This is LT Academy. We have a case you need to be aware of.

Captain: Ohhh yea!

Command Center: Yes Sir, its pretty serious, we have dispatched several units.

Captain: Ohhhhhhhhh yes!

Command Center: We will call and let you know if anything changes.

Captain: Yes, Yes, yea baby! Oh wait, not you LT. Carry on!

quote:

I find it rather disgusting if he did call while engage is sex acts. Pretty perverted sounding.

Oh I dunno....shows a certain devotion to duty I'd say.

And exactly what regulation did THAT particular act break?

quote:

And exactly what regulation did THAT particular act break?

..at minimum, probably conduct unbecoming.

Another o-6 going down in flames
how many of our senior leaders actions have been swept under the green carpet? and they get to retire quietly.
i am sic sic sic can i watch

quote:

..at minimum, probably conduct unbecoming.

It would be interesting to know just how they knew he was in the act while on the phone.

quote:

Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:

quote:

..at minimum, probably conduct unbecoming.

It would be interesting to know just how they knew he was in the act while on the phone.

Teleconference??? just kidding
Thats a good question, my guess is someone in the command center "heard something" on the phone, and used the DVL / editing software to clean it up. Probably a slow midwatch.

<http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11437479>

Another article on the charges.

<http://ktuu.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/CHARGE%20SHEET--dd_form_458_11_03_09_redacted.pdf>

The actual charge sheet. I just have to say...holy ****!!!

It appears to be another case of trying to lie your way out of trouble with a dab of using your position to alter the investigation. That would be my guess considering that the charge sheet was released. The Capt had to tick some people off for them to so darn transparent.

I can already foresee the outcome of this ordeal: Capt Hamilton gets an early retirement.

I seriously doubt Capt Hamilton will be sent to the brig. Now if Capt. Hamilton was an enlisted guy, he would be spending the rest of his life behind bars. How many 0-6's are in Leavenworth right now? Probably none.

quote:

Originally posted by ECitycoastie:
I can already foresee the outcome of this ordeal: Capt Hamilton gets an early retirement.

I seriously doubt Capt Hamilton will be sent to the brig. Now if Capt. Hamilton was an enlisted guy, he would be spending the rest of his life behind bars. How many 0-6's are in Leavenworth right now? Probably none.

Yup, a nice fat retirement check courtesy of the American taxpayer.

T

quote:

Originally posted by militia1:

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:

quote:

So freakin what if he called while engaged in sexual activity, its his freakin business.

So what if the Sector Commander is actively engaged in a sexual encounter while on the phone with his Command Center? Are you freakin kidding?

Its his business. Since when did the CG become the bedroom police? While I am certainly not endorsing or condoning any of these activities, the fact remains that stacking charges doesnt mean much of anything. What a person chooses to do in their home, for the most part, isnt anyone's business as long as its legal. Now I assume he stopped long enough to make this call.

T

According to the charging sheet, he was charged with Article 120 Rape and Carnal Knowledge.