US Coast Guardsman Convicted of Sexual Assault

A US Coast Guardsman was sentenced to six months confinement for Sexual Assault and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice during a general court-martial aboard Coast Guard Base Alameda Friday.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Harold C. Sanchez was also sentenced to a reduction in pay grade to E-1, the military’s lowest pay grade, for Sexual Assault, Failure to Obey an Order and Making False Official Statements. Sanchez was stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon in Seattle when he committed the violations.

On the night of Aug. 21, 2013, Sanchez provided alcohol to a person who was under the legal drinking age at the time. Later that evening or early the next morning, Sanchez sexually assaulted his fellow crewmember.

The victim initially made a restricted report to a victim advocate and sought medical services Aug. 23 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. A registered nurse administered a sexual assault exam. Further analysis of the exam evidence found Sanchez’s DNA, providing strong evidence that he had sex with the victim. The victim later changed her restricted report to an unrestricted report.

After learning of the assault, the victim was reassigned to Coast Guard Base Alameda, while Sanchez was reassigned to Base Seattle pending the outcome of the investigation. He will serve his sentence at U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, in Miramar, Calif.

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service led the investigation. Attorneys from Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda prosecuted the case.

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Press release, Image: USCG