Ex-Coast Guard officer convicted of sex assault during Cape May term

A former Coast Guard Petty Officer in the Cape May unit is reduced in rank and given six months confinement and a dishonorable discharge after being found guilty of sexual assault.

Petty Officer Third Class William Fisher was convicted in a general court martial in Norfolk, Virginia, according to USCG authorities.

Fisher was assigned to Cape May at the time of the alleged misconduct, which proceeded to trial following an Article 32 hearing, the equivalent of a civilian grand jury, that ended October 14, 2015, by order of Rear Admiral Stephen P. Matruck.

USCG officials did not elaborate on the incident, but said that Fisher is confined to the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Virginia.

In a prepared statement, officials said:

"The Coast Guard is committed to building and maintaining a culture of respect, trust, and safety worthy of the women and men who sacrifice so much to ensure the safety and security of the American people."