Court Martial Begins for Naval Academy Professor Charged with Sexual Assault

A court martial hearing began Tuesday for a Marine Corps major who served as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and is charged with sexually assaulting a midshipman while having sex with another midshipman.

Maj. Mark A. Thompson, 43, is accused of assaulting a female midshipman at his apartment after the annual 2011 croquet match against St. John's College.

He faces three charges, including two specifications of aggravated sexual assault and indecent acts, three specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer, and two specifications of fraternization.

In January, academy graduate Sarah Stadler testified to having a sexual relationship with Thompson while she was a student. According to Military.com, she claims she spent the day of the croquet match drinking with a friend and fellow midshipman that ended with the two of them playing strip poker at Thompson's apartment. 

Thompson has since been reassigned outside of the academy.

Talk of sexual assault in the military was part of President Barack Obama's speech at Friday's commencement ceremony in Annapolis. Obama charged the graduates to live with integrity and honor, and reiterated how sexual assaults damage an institution’s integrity.