Naval Academy Jails Sex Suspect

A senior Naval Academy midshipman was jailed and stripped of his duties while authorities investigate accusations that he sexually assaulted four female midshipmen.

The midshipman first class, whose name was not released, has not been formally charged. He is being held in pretrial confinement in the brig at the U.S. Marine Reservation at Quantico, Va.

The midshipman was jailed “basically out of concern for the welfare of the alleged victims” after he allegedly threatened one of his accusers, Navy Lt. Scott Allen, an academy spokesman, said Friday.

The alleged assaults took place as recently as last week, academy spokesman Debbie Carroll said.