SAILOR SENTENCED, BLAMES SABOTAGE ON DRUGS

BREMERTON, Wash. - Missile Technician 2nd Class Ernesto Cimmino said he got
"a rush" out of snapping cables on the Bangor-based Trident submarine USS
Alaska.

Military Judge Capt. David White sentenced the four-year Navy veteran on
Friday to four years and 11 months for sabotaging the Navy sub and stealing
gear from the vessel.

Cimmino, 24, a native of Scotia, N.Y., is expected to serve his sentence at
Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego. He also will be dishonorably
discharged.

In a statement made in court following a one-day trial, Cimmino blamed his
behavior on drug abuse. He said a former girlfriend started him on cocaine,
LSD and methamphetamine.

Cimmino said he began cutting the cable in hopes of eventually taking the
damaged cable and selling the copper wire.

"I joined the Navy because I wanted to see the world and do something with
my life," he said. "I never intended to hurt any person." Cimmino
negotiated a plea bargain prior to his trial. He could have faced 13 years
behind bars.

More than 100 cables were cut on the Bangor-based USS Alaska. The damage
was discovered while the sub was being overhauled in the Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard.