NAVY OFFICER GETS PRISON IN DRUG CASE

A Navy lieutenant commander arrested for selling drugs to undercover
officers in May 2000 pleaded guilty at his general court-martial yesterday
and was sentenced to five years in prison.

As part of a plea agreement, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Loeh, 40, admitted conspiring
with two enlisted sailors to possess and distribute the illegal designer
drug Ecstasy. Besides conspiracy, he pleaded guilty to several charges
involving drugs, assault and disobeying orders against fraternizing with
enlisted personnel.

Military judge Capt. Peter Fagen initially sentenced Loeh to 10 years'
incarceration, but the time was reduced to the maximum set in the plea
agreement between Loeh and Navy attorneys.

An additional charge of conduct unbecoming an officer, for alleged
homosexual activities and the distribution of ketamine and LSD, was dropped
in the plea bargain.

Loeh's rank insignia and ribbons were stripped from his khaki uniform
before he was led in handcuffs from the courthouse at the San Diego Naval
Station at 32nd Street.

A 19-year veteran, Loeh was a maintenance officer on the aircraft carrier
Constellation when he was arrested May 31 along with the two sailors after
selling Ecstasy to undercover San Diego police officers near Loeh's Chollas
View condominium.

The Navy took over jurisdiction in the case from civilian authorities in
July, and formal military charges were issued against Loeh in December.

The enlisted men arrested with Loeh, Petty Officers 3rd Class Dustin Larck
and Matthew Lenhoff, will face courts-martial in coming weeks on drug charges.

A Navy spokesman said he didn't know if Loeh would be held in a military
prison or a federal civilian prison.