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Midshipman Dismissed For Wrongful Sexual Contact

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A Naval Academy midshipman has been dismissed from service after he was found guilty of wrongful sexual contact by a military court.

Midshipman 1st Class Matthew Cook of Traskwood, Ark., was convicted last week on charges related to an alleged off-campus rape of a female midshipman in August 2010.

The 24-year-old senior was, however, acquitted on charges of aggravated sexual assault stemming from the incident, which was reported in March 2011.

A spokesman for the Naval Academy says the dismissal of a midshipman is comparable to a dishonorable discharge for regular military personnel.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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