PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A Coast Guard member charged with violating an article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice pled guilty to a lesser included offense as part of a pre-trial agreement and was sentenced Friday during a special court-martial in Norfolk, Virginia.
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Cote, 32, pled guilty in accordance with a pre-trial agreement to two specifications of violation of Article 80, UCMJ – Attempted Indecent Visual Recording. Pursuant to the pre-trial agreement, Cote pled not guilty to two specifications of violation of Article 120c, UCMJ – Indecent Visual Recording. Cote was sentenced to twelve months confinement at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Virginia, reduction of rank to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge. Per the terms of his pre-trial agreement, confinement in excess of six months will be suspended.
Vice Adm. William Lee, commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, referred Cote’s case to a special court-martial on Dec. 28, 2015.
Cote was assigned to Cutter Northland homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, when the misconduct occurred.
The Coast Guard is committed to building and maintaining a culture of respect, trust, and safety worthy of the women and men who sacrifice so much to ensure the safety and security of the American people.