UPDATE: Former CG Company Commander Ousted, Narcotics Charge Added

CAPE MAY – Preston Blair, 32, former Coast Guard first-class petty officer and recruit company commander at Training Center Cape May, was released from the service July 22 with an Other Than Honorable discharge, according to Chief Warrant Officer Donnie Brzuska, command public information officer. That was due to substances in Blair’s possession that tested positive as steroids, found during a joint investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
Possession of steroids is a third-degree offense, according to Chief of County Detectives Kenneth Super of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. The newest charge was added to those previously filed against Blair. He was arrested March 1 and charged with weapons offenses, including possession of an assault weapon and large-capacity ammunition magazines. He allegedly took high-capacity magazines from the ceremonial weapons locker at the training center and attempted to return them.
A search of Blair’s Green Creek home resulted in authorities discovering the large-capacity magazines and assault weapon. Blair was originally committed to Cape May County Correctional Center but is free on bail.
“We will not tolerate behavior that is incompatible with our core values. We will hold members who violate those values accountable as quickly and as stringently as possible,” Brzuska said. Those values are honor, respect, and devotion to duty.
“Blair’s alleged actions should not impact on the positive image of the Coast Guard in the community,” Brzuska continued. He added, Blair’s discharge was made pending “more severe penalties in the civilian justice system.”
He explained that an Other Than Honorable discharge would likely deprive a veteran of “virtually all benefits for that period of enlistment.”
Of its company commanders, Brzuska said the service expects “The highest level of commitment, and we expect them to set an example for the rest of the service and the community. When one of our own commits crimes that are incompatible with our core values, it is disheartening for everyone.”
Super said a determination must be made by New Jersey State Police regarding the designation of the seized weapon as being an assault-type weapon. If it is found to be otherwise, that charge can be amended.
He said the grand jury is pending certification by State Police of that weapon and magazine. He noted the State Police Fire Arms Unit is extremely busy, because many are seeking to purchase weapons.
A release of March 4 reported that a multi-jurisdictional investigation had involved the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Middle Township and Lower Township police departments.
The investigation was begun after special agents of the CGIS found evidence that Blair allegedly stole a number of empty, large-capacity ammunition magazines from a ceremonial weapons locker at the Cape May base. That investigation revealed that Blair was in possession of multiple firearms and large-capacity ammunition magazines.
Three authorized search warrants were executed, including one at Blair’s Green Creek residence, one on his vehicle, as well as one at a storage unit located in Lower Township. During that search, three weapons were seized, including two classed as assault rifles. One assault rifle had a large-capacity dual drum-style ammunition magazine attached. That magazine was capable of holding 100 rounds of ammunition. An additional 13 large-capacity ammunition magazines were also seized.
Blair, a New Orleans, La. native had served in the Coast Guard for 11 years.
He had been assigned to Cape May since Jan. 1, 2010, according to Brzuska. His primary duties were as a recruit company commander.
Brzuska estimated that, during his time training recruits, it was likely Blair had overseen the training for as many as 800 recruits.
At the time of the arrest, Brzuska said the Coast Guard was working closely with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to determine the final disposition of the case in regard to military and civilian charges.