Sailor Faces Trial in Dumping Protest

Sailor Aaron Ahearn, who went AWOL from his ship in what he called a protest of orders requiring him to dump garbage overboard, will face court-martial for his actions, the Navy said Wednesday.

Ahearn, 21, of Santa Cruz was charged with two counts of being away without leave from his ship and one count of missing a troop movement. Possible penalties include a bad conduct discharge, six months confinement, loss of pay and reduction in rank.

Ahearn captured national attention after spending 10 unauthorized weeks away from his Alameda-based aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, earlier this year.

The seaman said he went AWOL over orders requiring him to toss 200 sacks of trash daily into the sea and release raw sewage near port in San Diego and the Bay Area. Ahearn also complained that other sailors tossed furniture, solvents, paint and computers overboard in apparent violation of Navy policy.

After a 25-day investigation, military authorities have concluded that Ahearn’s dumping claims were “without merit.” Navy spokeswoman Pat Neal said investigators believe Ahearn fabricated the story to avoid punishment after deciding to flee the ship to be with his girlfriend.

Ahearn has been placed on pretrial restriction and could not be reached for comment. Robert Rivkin, Ahearn’s attorney, called the Navy’s conclusions “ridiculous” and said he would present witnesses to corroborate his client’s account.