On Wednesday, Chief Petty Officer Carlos Resendez, a Coast Guardsman, was found guilty of several violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice while serving as a company commander from 2009 to 2010.
He was sentenced to confinement for a year, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade and a bad conduct discharge.
He was found guilty of Maltreatment of Subordinates, Failure to Obey a Lawful Order, and Adultery stemming from inappropriate contact with recruits under his charge at various times from spring 2009 to summer 2010.
“A company commander’s mission is to train Coast Guardsmen in a manner that secures the trust and confidence of both our service and the families and friends who entrust us with the care of their loved ones,” said Capt. Bill Kelly, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. “We will not tolerate any actions that violate that trust and confidence or the high moral and ethical standards we demand of our training staff.”
Officials say the trial revealed that Resendez abused his military authority as a company commander to sexually harass several female recruits.
They say in one instance, he abused his position of authority by having sexual relations with a recruit.
He was found guilty of all charges referred to trial.
Resendez is stationed at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, Calif., where he served as an indoctrination instructor until the allegations against him surfaced in April 2011.
He was immediately reassigned to administrative duties during the investigation and trial.
Resendez will initially be confined at the Naval Consolidated Brig facility in Chesapeake.
