This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A former Syracuse city councilman and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel has admitted in federal court to fondling another man in a Hill Air Force base steam room two years ago.
Douglas J. Hammond, 68, of Syracuse, was charged in U.S. District Court with misdemeanor sexual battery, which is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of $2,500. While Hammond initially denied the allegations against him, on Monday he pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Judge Paul Warner. According to a statement filed in advance of Hammond's guilty plea, he said he entered a steam room at the base's Hess Fitness Center on Dec. 10, 2009 and sexually touched another man in the room.
The steam room requires those using the facility to wear a swimming suit, gym shorts or a towel, but Hammond went into the room nude and sat down next to a young man wearing a towel. He proceeded to touch the man's penis under the towel and the victim immediately left the room, according to the statement.
"I acknowledge that the young man was alarmed by my conduct and that I knew or should have known that my conduct would cause affront or alarm and that my conduct was against his will," the statement Hammond signed reads.
Hammond's victim contacted Hill Air Force Base police, and an officer issued a citation to Hammond. That citation, which accused Hammond of sexually abusing the man, was later dismissed without prejudice by Warner at the request of the government.
The Salt Lake Tribunedoes not name victims of sexual crimes and is not naming the victim in this story.
Hammond denied any wrongdoing in previous interviews with other media outlets after the citation.
In a February 2010 interview with The Standard-Examiner, Hammond said he didn't know who initiated the complaint against him and suggested it was done as an act of political retaliation.
"I don't know why anyone would make allegations against me, because I have done nothing wrong or unlawful. From what I can ascertain, this seems to be a mean-spirited political vendetta by someone who wishes to damage my reputation," Hammond told the newspaper.
David Irvine, Hammond's attorney, told The Standard that Hammond at the time was a respected LDS bishop and implored prosecutors to not pursue future charges against his client because of questionable facts in the case. The ticket Hammond was issued was unsigned by the officer who wrote up the complaint and contained few details about the episode Hammond allegedly engaged in.
Following the dismissal of the citation, the U.S. Attorney's Office reviewed the case and filed the misdemeanor charge against Hammond.
Hammond was elected to the Syracuse City Council in January 2008. He resigned in November, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his wife, who has been diagnosed with cancer. He will be sentenced on June 9 before Warner.