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Coast Guard captain charged with indecent acts

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A senior Coast Guard official was charged Tuesday with multiple offenses, including sodomy, indecent acts and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman.

The Coast Guard filed 31 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice against Capt. Herbert Hamilton.

It did not provide details of the alleged offenses, which also include fraud, adultery, indecent language and soliciting another to commit an offense.

Hamilton, who is also known as Mark, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

He was removed in May from his duties as the Coast Guard's commander for the Anchorage sector. At the time, the Coast Guard cited alleged misconduct and a loss of confidence in Hamilton's ability to command.

During the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, he was temporarily assigned to the staff of the 17th Coast Guard District, which covers Alaska.

Coast Guard officials said the charges will be heard at a formal hearing where Hamilton will have the right to question witnesses. A date has not been set.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Eric Eggen said an investigating officer at the hearing will look into the allegations and recommend how the case should proceed. Possibilities include trying those or other charges at a general court-martial or dropping the charges altogether.

Eggen said the final determination will be made by Rear Adm. Christopher Colvin, district commander.

Hamilton took the Anchorage position in August 2008 and previously served as deputy commander for Coast Guard operations in the Los Angeles area.

The Anchorage role includes diverse duties, such as verifying compliance of fishing vessels in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea inspecting vessels transporting freight and passengers between the Lower 48 and western Alaska.

Another mission is inspecting waterfront facilities, tank ships and barges associated with the oil industry.