Navy QB Charged with rape

**COJOMAY** · 02-22-2006, 09:25 PM

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In another embarrassment for one of the nation's service academies, Navy quarterback Lamar Owens has been charged with raping a female midshipman in her dormitory room.

Owens, a 22-year-old senior from Savannah, Ga., was charged under the military code of justice because the alleged attack took place on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy, academy spokesman Cmdr. Rod Gibbons said Wednesday.

"He remains assigned to the Naval Academy and will continue to attend class, performing other duties normally assigned to midshipmen pending results of the investigation," Gibbons said. He said the academy took steps to prevent contact between Owens and the woman.

Investigators said Owens attacked the woman last month after entering her room in Bancroft Hall without her consent.

Gibbons said the academy was offering counseling to the woman, whose name was not released by the school. Owens was not made available for comment.

An Article 32 hearing, similar to a civilian grand jury inquiry, will be held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to go ahead with a court-martial. The investigation is being handled by the Naval Criminal Investigation Service.

Owens guided Navy's football team to an 8-4 season record that included victories over Air Force and Army and a victory in the Poinsettia Bowl over Colorado State.

The military academies have been under close scrutiny since 2003, when women at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado began coming forward with accusations that they had been sexually assaulted by fellow cadets and were ignored or ostracized by commanders when they spoke out.

Prophet · 02-22-2006, 09:29 PM

Castrate him, then call it even.

**sleepagent** · 02-22-2006, 10:07 PM

Something seems to be missing from this story.

What are the extenuating circumstances? Did she know him?

Why isn't he sitting in the brig?

I find it unbelievable that someone with as much exposure as him would throw away a promising career over a piece-of-a$$. He couldn't get it elsewhere?

Then again . . . we do have the stupid among us . . . Ricky Williams . . . Maurice Clarrett . . . Onterio Smith . . . etc

**Displaced_Viking** · 02-22-2006, 10:24 PM

"Prophet" wrote:

Castrate him, then call it even.

Agreed.

**VikesfaninWis** · 02-22-2006, 10:34 PM

What is with this crap? It always seems like you are hearing about rape on a daily basis. Can't these guys go out and find a piece on their own without having to force it? I understand that he is only accused of it, and not actually convicted of it but man when does it end.