Coast Guard Academy investigating sex abuse

NEW LONDON, Conn., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut has been charged with breaking into a dorm room and sexually abusing a fellow cadet, officials said.

The alleged incident did not result in a rape, said Capt. Eric C. Jones, the academy's assistant superintendent. But the allegations stemming from the September incident were serious enough to warrant formal charges the cadet, who along with the alleged victim has not been identified by either name or gender, violated the military code of conduct.

Jones said an Article 32 hearing, similar to a grand jury investigation, will commence to determine if the charges warrant trial by court-martial, the (New London) Day reported Wednesday.

Jones said the accused has been moved off campus but remains enrolled at the academy while the investigation continues.

The Article 32 hearing, which is public, could be completed in the next three months, Jones said.