Navy Officer Charged in Assault, Drug Sales

A Navy lieutenant commander faces a possible 192 years in prison on charges of assault and dealing drugs.

Lt. Cmdr. Robert Loeh is in military court this week on charges of dealing the drug Ecstasy, committing indecent assault, hiring male prostitutes and committing other unbecoming acts. While most of the alleged acts occurred at his home off base, he also is accused of fraternization with enlisted personnel while serving on the aircraft carrier Constellation as a maintenance officer.

In addition, classified documents that should not have been in Loeh’s possession were found in the 40-year-old officer’s home, officials said.

According to testimony Monday, Navy officials tipped off San Diego police, giving them information that led to a raid on Loeh’s home.

Loeh sold 20 tablets of Ecstasy to an undercover officer, police said. He was arrested after a raid on his home, where 75 Ecstasy tablets and other illegal drugs were found.

Two other sailors, Petty Officers 3rd Class Dustin Larck, 21, and Matthew Lenhoff, 24, were also arrested. They will also face drug charges.

A Navy investigation prompted civilian as well as military charges against Loeh, a 19-year Navy veteran, but the civilian charges were dropped.

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin O’Neil, the investigating officer presiding over Loeh’s case, was expected to make a recommendation for action against Loeh within two weeks after the hearing.