Midshipman Sold Drugs At Naval Academy, 2 Other States: Officials

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy accused of selling drugs at the service academy, and at locations in Dover, Delaware and New York City, faces decades in prison if convicted. The U.S. Naval Academy brought charges against Zachary Williams, a second-class midshipman, at a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. He is accused of a dozen drug-related crimes tied to the use, possession and distribution of cocaine, ecstasy, the animal tranquilizer ketamine and mushrooms.

The investigation that has so far resulted in the expulsion of six midshipmen from the academy. Both the Navy and the Naval Academy have a zero tolerance policy for drug use, Academy spokesman Cmdr. David McKinney said. News that school officials and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service were investigating reports of a drug ring on the Annapolis campus were confirmed in February after a surprise drug test for all midshipmen was ordered. Reports said it was part of an allegation that drugs were being sold via the "Dark Web" at the Naval Academy.

The digital space known as the "Dark Web" is used for nefarious activity on a decentralized, unregulated platform where drugs, stolen personal data and other illicit transactions take place. The investigation was launched by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in November. Five more midshipmen were administratively disciplined for drug-related violations, AP said.

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Some of the charges stemmed from Williams' June 15 arrest for selling and possessing controlled substances made by the Dover Police Department, McKinney said. While attending in Delaware, Williams reportedly tried to sell drugs to an undercover officer with the Dover Police Department, a prosecutor said.

Because Williams cooperated with Dover police in another undercover operation that weekend, the charge against him were dropped. Williams lied to authorities about where he had been, and did not report his arrest, the Capital Gazette reports.

The Article 32 hearing held Wednesday before a military court at the Washington Navy Yard will determine if the case should continue to a court-martial, AP says.

Photo: Entrance to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Emily Leayman/Patch