Court-martial to be held for Coast Guard officer accused of abusing colleague in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A court-martial will be held for a U.S. Coast Guard officer accused of having abusive sexual contact with a female colleague while stationed in Milwaukee.

The Coast Guard announced Thursday the decision to refer charges against Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua M. Raymond to a general court-martial.

The court-martial will be convened in Cleveland at a date to be set.

Raymond's case was referred following an Article 32 hearing, similar to a civilian grand jury hearing.

Raymond, of Deerfield, was an operations specialist at the Lake Michigan facility in Milwaukee. He is accused of having improper sexual contact with a fellow service member during a party in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa on Nov. 27.

Raymond's defense attorney has said his client intends to plead not guilty to all charges.