THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602250071
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE BALTIMORE SUN
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Frederick E. ``Freddie'' Wilmot Jr.: athlete, honor student, Eagle Scout, choir boy, community volunteer, third-generation Naval Academy midshipman, convicted felon.
In a walnut-paneled courtroom at the Washington Navy Yard on Friday, Wilmot, 21, became the third midshipman this year to be convicted by court-martial of LSD-related drug charges and sentenced to prison and a dishonorable discharge. He admitted using LSD in Virginia Beach last summer.
The military judge, Marine Lt. Col. Ronald Rodgers, sentenced Wilmot, who is from Las Vegas, to 18 months in prison and dismissal.
Under a pretrial agreement with Adm. Charles R. Larson, the academy superintendent who ordered the court-martial, the midshipman will serve 60 days.
Last week, Erin P. Ogle, a 19-year-old sophomore from Prescott, Ariz., pleaded guilty to charges that she attempted to sell four LSD doses worth $10 to other midshipmen. She was sentenced to three months imprisonment and a dishonorable discharge.
Midshipman Jason A. Harloff of Fairport, N.Y., pleaded guilty and was sentenced last month to 42 months in prison and discharge. He is to serve four months.
Midshipmen convicted in the drug scandal and dismissed from the service might have to repay the government for most of the cost of their education, about $250,000 for four years. Navy Secretary John H. Dalton said he will review the cases.
Academy officials said three more drug cases are being processed toward court-martial and that 18 other midshipmen are undergoing administrative hearings as the drug investigation continues.
The results of those hearings are to be announced in late March or early April.
According to the evidence and Wilmot's admissions in court, the midshipman used LSD twice, in May at the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course and last summer in Virginia Beach.
In October, he gave two other midshipmen $30 to buy LSD at a motel. The buy was set up by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, whose agents were investigating possible drug use at the academy.
The agents arrested the midshipmen couriers, one of whom was Harloff, when they arrived at the motel.
After evidence had been heard and character witnesses had testified, Rodgers said he had considered Wilmot's good record and his immediate admission of involvement when questioned.
But the offenses were so serious they required punishment, the judge said. by CNB