Marines Investigated After Sex Photos, Videos Seized

The military is investigating allegations that at least 15 Marines violated the armed service’s ban on homosexuality by appearing in sexually explicit photos and videos, a base spokesman said Wednesday.

Another Marine, who allegedly appeared in the nationally sold material, was discharged on charges of conducting “lewd and lascivious acts for compensation,” a Marine Corps spokesman, Maj. Tom Mitchell, said.

The investigation by the Naval Investigative Service was prompted by a June 15 police raid on a beachfront condominium where Oceanside police found photographs and videotapes featuring 15 to 25 Marines and civilians, Police Detective Mike Goldsmith said.

Most of the material showed people engaged in various sex acts, he said. Police originally believed eight to 10 Marines were involved. A continuing investigation determined that many more were Marines, police said.

The alleged photographer, Thomas F. McGrath Jr., 48, a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard, was arrested when he surrendered to police after the raid, according to investigators.

McGrath was accused of paying the Marines and civilians to appear in the photographs and videos. He was arrested on suspicion of pandering, pimping and maintaining a house of prostitution and was freed on $10,500 bail, police said.

The names of the Marines allegedly involved were not released.

“Engaging in lewd and lascivious acts for compensation is considered misconduct by the military because it is contrary to military good order and discipline,” Mitchell said.

“Department of Defense policy is that homosexuality is incompatible with service in the armed forces,” he added.