SAN DIEGO (AP) - A Navy ship commander pleaded guilty Friday to sexual assault and rape of two female sailors, and a military judge ordered his dismissal and sentenced him to more than three years in prison.
Cmdr. Jay Wylie was given a 10-year term but will serve 42 months as part of a plea agreement, said Sheila Murray, Navy spokeswoman.
During the San Diego court martial, the judge also ordered that Wylie, the former skipper of the Everett, Wash.-based destroyer USS Momsen, to forfeit future benefits.
The 19-year Navy veteran was immediately sent to the brig at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.
According to the Navy, Wylie got drunk on two occasions and sexually assaulted women who were under his command on the Navy destroyer.
"He wanted to make clear that he's taking full responsibility and accountability for his misconduct," said Wylie's lawyer Jeremiah Sullivan.
"(Wylie) could not have been more remorseful to the victims," said Sullivan.
Sullivan says the dismissal case will be appealed, but only because all dismissal cases automatically go through an appeals process.
Twenty officers have been relieved of command by the Navy this year.
Crimes, of a sexual nature or otherwise, are vigorously investigated and adjudicated as appropriate by the Navy, said Murray.
"We hold our people accountable and we expect commanding officers to uphold the highest personal and professional standards," said Murray.