Navy officials are currently conducting an Article 32 pretrial investigation into charges against Lt. Cmdr. Mark L. Stone, a former instructor in the U.S. Military Academy Department of Mathematics.

The charges -- assault, indecent acts or liberties with a child, forcible sodomy, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentlemen and destruction of government property -- stem from incidents that allegedly took place at West Point between March and June 2000 involving four minor community members. The Navy officially preferred the charges Jan. 3.

West Point officials said Stone was charged based on evidence gathered at USMA by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

"Academy and Navy officials continue to work together closely on this investigation," said Maj. Jim Whaley, USMA spokesperson.

A 1983 Naval Academy graduate, Stone was assigned to USMA in June 1998 as an inter-service exchange officer. He has been reassigned to the Navy’s Earle Naval Weapons Station in Colt’s Neck, N.J.

Due to Stone’s status as a Naval officer, the Navy has primary responsibility in prosecuting the case. However, the Army will be actively involved, Whaley said.

"An Army prosecutor will be detailed to the case and the hearings are scheduled to take place here," he explained.