Coast Guardsman pleads guilty to misconduct

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Coast Guard lieutenant has pleaded guilty to military charges of assault and other misconduct while in port in Panama.

The Coast Guard says 44-year-old Lt. Wayne Barfield entered his plea Wednesday during a special court-marshal in Norfolk, Va. The other charges included conduct unbecoming an officer, fraternization and drunk and disorderly conduct.

Barfield was sentenced to 60 days restriction to Base Elizabeth City, N.C. He also will receive a letter of reprimand and must forfeit $1,000 of pay a month for 12 months.

Barfield was the chief engineer aboard the Charleston, S.C.-based Cutter Gallatin.

Charge sheets say Barfield made repeated offensive comments to someone subject to his orders, danced inappropriately in a public place, was drunk and disorderly and fraternized with enlisted Coast Guardsmen. The misconduct occurred in 2013.