U.S. service members aboard vessels typically have one thing and one thing only on their minds when they head for a port call. That’s been the case since the days of John Paul Jones and today is not any different. In this case, a Petty Officer First Class for the Coast Guard used his port call to initiate an emotional connection with another.
It started as they began sharing some mutual life struggles and mutual connection was instantly made. They remained in contact and during a second port call, an intimate encounter occurred, though it was reported to have stop short of full sexual relations due to time constraints. They must have really pushed things close to the wire on timing as you tell any service member during a port call that he only has 60 seconds to get it done and they’ll tell you they can finish in 45 seconds.
Regardless, it didn’t happen and the relationship continued on social media. The conversations reflected the emotional complexities of their relationship and though our client was concerned about the professional repercussions, they just couldn’t separate from one another. This was especially true when they found themselves in social settings where alcohol was involved.
The relationship then took a turn for the worse when rumors of inappropriate sexual conduct began to swirl. An unrestricted report was filed against him for sexual assault which distressed the Petty Officer to the point of hospitalization.
That’s when the Coast Guard member retained attorney Bilecki who immediately went to work. Bilecki was able to successfully prevent the case from escalating to a court martial and the case was sent to an administrative separation board. Bilecki did not continue representation for this case for a variety of reasons, but getting the case to the administrative level was perhaps the biggest win possible for this strange and unusual case.