Coast Guard Recruits Sexually Harassed in Cape May

The Coast Guard says four of its recruits were sexually harassed at its training facility in New Jersey between 2009 and 2010.

Chief Petty Officer Carlos Resendez pleaded guilty to a series of charges in Virginia on Wednesday stemming from his time as a company commander at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. A company commander is similar to a drill sergeant in the Army.

The Coast Guard says Resendez abused his authority to sexually harass female recruits and had sex with one of them. He pleaded guilty to maltreatment of subordinates, adultery and failure to obey a lawful order.

Resendez was sentenced to a year of confinement and was reduced to the lowest enlisted grade.

Resendez was most recently stationed at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, Calif.

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