Attorney: CG petty officer cleared

UPDATE
A Louisiana-based Coast Guard petty officer accused of sexually assaulting two women, and other criminal offenses, has been cleared in a New Orleans court-martial, according to defense attorney John Wells. But, a military judge in the New Orleans case did find Petty Officer 2^nd Class Gregory Cooper guilty of "violating a lawful order," according to the CG. He was demoted one pay grade. Cooper's attorney, a retired Navy commander from Slidell, said Sept. 3 that his client was convicted of violating a policy barring fraternization, because of a "consensual relationship." (Times-Picayune 09/03/15)

PREVIOUSLY: Louisiana-based Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Gregory E. Cooper was to face court-martial proceedings Sept. 1 related to allegations of sexual assault, adultery and other violations of military law, the CG announced Aug. 31. The incidents occurred while he was assigned to the Grand Isle, La.-based cutter Sturgeon and the Aids to Navigation Team Puget Sound in Seattle, Wash., according to the CG. The CG did not release details of the allegations, but the disclosure follows a several-year trend within the agency of publicly acknowledging legal action against service members accused of sex crimes. Cooper is temporarily assigned to the 8th Coast Guard District staff in New Orleans, which is located at Hale Boggs Federal Building – site of the court-martial. (Source: Times-Picayune 08/31/15)