NORFOLK, Va., April 5 (UPI) -- A former head of security on the U.S. Navy carrier George H.W. Bush is facing a military jury in Virginia on charges he assaulted sailors under his command.
Lawyers gave their opening statements Monday in Norfolk, Va., in the court-martial of Senior Chief Petty Officer Kevin M. Curtis, The Virginian-Pilot reported.
Lt. Nicole Staring, the prosecuting officer, told the six-person military jury, Curtis abused his position as a petty officer. She said he assaulted sailors who were under his command, told them to lie to investigators and hurt some of their careers by failing to file paperwork.
Staring said the sailors feared Curtis.
"They believed that Senior Chief Curtis ruled their world," she said. "They were afraid to report it because they didn't think anyone would believe them."
Curtis's defenders say though acknowledging he was not a good administrator, the alleged assaults were just roughhousing everyone participated in.
Curtis faces a long prison term if convicted of all charges.
