Former Midshipmen Testify Navy Doctor Secretly Taped Them Having Sex

Monday, June 11th 2007, 8:00 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Two former Naval Academy midshipmen testified Monday that they believe a Navy doctor who hosted them in his home used a hidden camera to tape them having sex with their girlfriends and record other midshipmen engaged in sexual acts.

The two men said that in January they found digital videos and tape recordings of themselves and other midshipmen in Cmdr. Kevin Ronan's home near the Maryland military school. A tiny camera had allegedly been placed inside an air purifier that was pointed toward the bed in a guest room.

``Obviously, I was pretty shocked finding those,'' said one of the men, later dabbing his eyes with a tissue as he struggled to compose himself during a hearing for Ronan.

The Associated Press is not identifying the two former midshipmen who testified because it is suspected they were being videotaped without their consent.

Ronan is assigned to the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery but was previously a team physician for Naval Academy sports teams and a medical officer in the midshipman dorm. He also was designated as a midshipman sponsor by the academy and frequently hosted overnight visits at his house.

Ronan did not speak during Monday's hearing, which is the naval equivalent of a civilian grand jury review. A Navy commander who heard the evidence will recommend whether Ronan should face court-martial on 18 counts related to conduct unbecoming an officer; obstruction of justice; violating federal wiretapping law; and violating a Maryland law against secret recordings.

He could be sentenced to as many as 18 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

One of the accusers is an ensign in the Navy but was a midshipman when the tapes were discovered in January. The other was expelled from the academy for poor grades in January and now lives in Gainesville, Fla.

Ronan's lawyer alleges the former midshipmen are trying to extort money to help cover $127,000 that the one who was expelled owed the government. The man denied the allegation Monday.

He and the ensign claim they found video of themselves and other midshipmen engaged in sexual acts in Ronan's guest rooms, along with the camera and a receiver attached to a TV in Ronan's room. They filmed their search with a digital camera, and the ensign turned the material over to Navy investigators. Investigators later found the receiver and air purifier in the attic.

Ronan's attorney, William Ferris, said the Navy's case has flaws. Navy prosecutors have recordings of only the two men and a third midshipman, Ferris said. Four others outlined in the charges were allegedly shown on DVDs that investigators never found. Maryland law cited by Navy prosecutors also might not cover secret taping in a private home, he said.

Ferris said the ensign looks directly at the camera several times while having sex with his girlfriend. The ensign testified he was glancing at the television and that the hidden camera was on top of the TV.

``This is a behavior that is extraordinary unless someone knows he is being recorded,'' Ferris said.