Midshipman Charged In Illegal Drug Sales At Naval Academy

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The U.S. Naval Academy is bringing charges against a midshipman for allegedly distributing illegal drugs, like cocaine, as part of an investigation that has so far resulted in the expulsion of six midshipmen from the academy.

Academy spokesman Cmdr. David McKinney announced the charges Tuesday, The Associated Press reports.

The midshipman, who has not been named, is charged with: failure to obey a general regulation, making a false official statement, possession of illegal substances with intent to distribute and more, AP says.

The investigation was launched by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in November.

So far, six midshipmen have been expelled from the academy for using illegal substances. Five more midshipmen were administratively disciplined for drug-related violations, AP said.

Some of the charges stemmed from an arrest for selling and possessing controlled substances made by the Dover Police Department, McKinney said.

The drugs involved in the investigation include cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

McKinney said an Article 32 hearing has been scheduled before a military court at the Washington Navy Yard on Wednesday. The hearing is similar to the preliminary hearing in civilian law and will determine if the case should continue to a court-martial, AP says.

“The United States Navy and the Naval Academy both have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the use of illegal substances and take all allegations of misconduct seriously,” McKinney said.