Another sub officer has been charged with using, distributing and possessing illegal drugs in Seattle, according to charge sheets released to Navy Times.
Assigned to the ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania’s Blue Crew, Lt. j.g. Riley W. Hoffman allegedly used and distributed cocaine in the Emerald City in late 2017.
It’s about a two-hour trip from the sub’s home port at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor by ferry and car to Seattle.
He’s also charged with possessing MDMA — better known by the street names “Ecstasy," “Extasy,” “Ex” or “Molly.”
Hoffman’s civilian criminal defense attorney, Steven Krupa, declined comment.
No trial date has been scheduled.
RELATED
A member of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Wisconsin, Hoffman was commissioned in 2015 and reported to the sub in early 2017, according to service records.
When on a strategic deterrent patrol, Pennsylvania carries 24 Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles, according to the Navy.
Hoffman is the second Washington-based sub officer to face drug charges in recent months.
Lt. James W. Hendren of the guided-missile submarine Michigan’s Blue Crew allegedly dealt cocaine and MDMA at unnamed locations in Seattle in November and July, according to his charge sheets.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
