The Guam-based former helicopter squadron commanding officer accused of attempting to rape a junior female officer will be spending the foreseeable future flying a desk in San Diego, according to a Naval Air Forces spokeswoman.
Cmdr. John Neuhart was arrested while attending a San Diego conference on Sept. 19 on charges that he forced himself into the home of a colleague, attempted to rape her and fled when a neighbor heard screaming and called the police.
He’s temporarily assigned to a San Diego command, AIRFOR spokeswoman Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld told Navy Times. His next court date is Oct. 19.
The 16-year veteran pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of assault with intent to commit rape, attempted forcible rape, first-degree burglary, resisting an officer, according to the San Diego County district attorney’s office.
“I just want to say that Commander Neuhart has spent the past 16 years of his life helping to protect the United States,” Kerry Armstrong, Neuhart’s attorney told Navy Times. “He has a loving wife and five beautiful children, and they 100-percent back him in this case. “
He faces up to seven years, four months’ prison time if convicted, a San Diego District Attorney spokeswoman told Navy Times on Monday. The court also issued a “stay away” order for the alleged victim.
Armstrong declined to comment on any evidence in the case, as he has not received any reports from the San Diego District Attorney’s office.
“Based on everything I know about this man at this time, I just cannot imagine that he is capable of attempting to rape someone,” he said.
Neuhart was officially relieved of command Monday. Capt. Kevin Kennedy, the deputy commander of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, has been serving as HSC-25’s CO since Sept. 15.
