NAPLES, Italy — A Navy commander accused of sexually abusing two women younger than 18 faces an Article 32 military investigative hearing Tuesday in Naples.

Cmdr. Douglas L. Maddox is accused of rape, forcible sodomy, assault consummated by battery, adultery, indecent assault, indecent acts, indecent liberties, use and possession of a controlled substance, attempting to impede an investigation and impeding an investigation.

The alleged victims are a female minor and a woman who was a minor when the events took place, between August 1999 and October 2002.

The charges were preferred May 30 following an investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Maddox, 43, an assistant maintenance officer, is attached to Commander, Naval Surface Group Mediterranean.

The convening authority is Rear Adm. Michael Holmes, Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean.

Holmes closed the hearing during the two alleged victims’ testimony to respect their privacy, said Lt. Cmdr. Carla McCarthy, spokeswoman for COMFAIRMED.

An Article 32 hearing is similar to a grand jury hearing and helps determine if the accused should face a court-martial.

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