Posted on Apr 1, 2016
Fired Marine commander charged with sexual assault
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The former commander of the Wounded Warrior Regiment is accused of abusive sexual contact, fraternization and wrongful possession of a controlled substance, according to Marine Corps officials.
Col. T. Shane "Rhino" Tomko, who was relieved of command in February 2015, faced allegations of misconduct that were investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said Rex Runyon, a spokesman for Marine Corps Installations Command.
Charges — including conspiracy to obstruct justice, violations of general orders and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman — were preferred against Tomko on Feb. 11, Runyon told Marine Corps Times.
“It is important to note that all above charges are accusations and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” Runyon said.
Tomko waived his Article 32, the military's equivalent of a preliminary hearing in civilian court, on March 23. Now Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commander of Installations Command and the convening authority, will decide what to do next, Runyon said.
The Washington Post first reported on the charges against Tomko on March 19. Further details about the charges were not immediately available.
“The United States Marine Corps takes seriously all incidents and allegations involving misconduct,” Runyon said. “We demand the highest standards of conduct from all our Marines at all times.”
An Oct. 28 Associated Press photograph shows Tomko speaking with first lady Michelle Obama as she visited Fort Belvoir, Virginia, along with Jill Biden and Britain's Prince Harry.
Col. T. Shane "Rhino" Tomko, who was relieved of command in February 2015, faced allegations of misconduct that were investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said Rex Runyon, a spokesman for Marine Corps Installations Command.
Charges — including conspiracy to obstruct justice, violations of general orders and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman — were preferred against Tomko on Feb. 11, Runyon told Marine Corps Times.
“It is important to note that all above charges are accusations and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” Runyon said.
Tomko waived his Article 32, the military's equivalent of a preliminary hearing in civilian court, on March 23. Now Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commander of Installations Command and the convening authority, will decide what to do next, Runyon said.
The Washington Post first reported on the charges against Tomko on March 19. Further details about the charges were not immediately available.
“The United States Marine Corps takes seriously all incidents and allegations involving misconduct,” Runyon said. “We demand the highest standards of conduct from all our Marines at all times.”
An Oct. 28 Associated Press photograph shows Tomko speaking with first lady Michelle Obama as she visited Fort Belvoir, Virginia, along with Jill Biden and Britain's Prince Harry.
Fired Marine commander charged with sexual assault
Posted from marinecorpstimes.comPosted in these groups: 
Marine Corps
Sexual Assault
Marine Corps Sexual Assault
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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There must be a lot more back-story to this than will ever be know. Only those close to him might have some insights into what's been going on, if anything for the last 30 yrs of his career in positions of greater responsibility and authority. If there is enough evidence to charge him it doesn't look good. If convicted he should be given the max and drummed out of the Corps.
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I know this is April Fools Day, but damn RP there seems to be a lot more fools today than jokes. If he's wrong, this is a damn shame. We can't blame the millennials for this one. Straight up disgrace to the uniform if proven guilty. If not, I stand by what I said with the fools and wish this gentleman the best of luck in his new career.
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When does all this end SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL? I think only when DOD takes away the local authority of commanders to prosecute, intervene, do whatever the ole boy network does. This has been going on for far too long. Prosecution should be totally independent of the commander. Don't anyone try to say that is not good because if it was this crap wouldn't be happening. If he's guilty, hang him high. If he's innocent, clear his name as best you can after something like this.
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