Six midshipmen have been kicked out of the Navy for using illegal substances at Firefly Music Festival, according to a report.
One man, 23-year-old Navy midshipman Zachary Williams was allegedly spotted snorting cocaine by an undercover cop at the music festival. Records say the officer then bought three bags of ecstasy from him and was offered a bump of cocaine on the spot.
Williams and his friend, Edward Hartman, were then arrested. Police went on to confiscate a total of 33 grams of ecstasy, 4.6 grams of cocaine, 1.1 grams of marijuana and a digital scale from their vehicles. The charges included “intent to deliver cocaine, second-degree conspiracy and possession of marijuana” and they were eventually released on a $142,000 bail.
Following those Firefly Music Festival arrests, the Naval Academy launched an investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It was found that cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms were used recreationally among some of the naval cadets.
Now, all midshipmen are required to be drug tested at least three times a year at random.
According to Cmdr. David McKinney, six men have been released from the academy for their drug use. Another five midshipmen have been “administratively disciplined” for drug-related violations.
“The United States Navy and the Naval Academy both have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the use of illegal substances and take all allegations of misconduct seriously,” McKinney said.
Source: Delaware Online