COURT HOUSE – A Coast Guardsman was charged March 1 with weapons offenses, including possession of an assault weapon and large capacity ammunition magazines.
According to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Petty Officer First Class Preston Blair, 32, a Coast Guardsman stationed at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May was arrested as a result of a joint multi-jurisdictional investigation involving the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Middle Township police and Lower Township police.
The investigation began after special agents from the Coast Guard Investigative Service found evidence Blair, allegedly stole a number of empty, large capacity ammunition magazines from a ceremonial weapons locker aboard Training Center Cape May. The investigation revealed Blair was allegedly 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. As a result of those search warrants, three weapons were seized, including two that were classified as assault rifles. One assault rifle had a large capacity dual drum-style ammunition magazine attached. The magazine was capable of holding 100 rounds of ammunition. An additional 13 large-capacity ammunition magazines were also seized by authorities.
According to Coast Guard spokesman Chief Warrant Officer Donnie Brzuska, Blair, a native of New Orleans, La. has served in the Coast Guard for 11 years.
“He has been assigned to Training Center Cape May since Jan.1, 2010,” said Brzuska where his primary duties are as a recruit company commander.
When asked how many recruits Blair has trained in his capacity as company commander, Brzuka said over a three-year tour a company commander, on average, will oversee the training of approximately 600 – 800 recruits.
Blair was charged with possession of an assault weapon, a crime of the second-degree and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines, a crime of the fourth-degree. He was committed to the Cape May County Correctional Center and later released after posting $50,000 bail.
“The Coast Guard is working closely with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to determine the final disposition of this case in regard to civilian or military charges,” Brzuska told the Herald.
According to Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor, persons convicted of a second-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Persons convicted of a fourth-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 18 months.
Taylor commended the efforts of all agencies involved, especially members of the United States Coast Guard Investigative Services for their professionalism and dedication during the investigation.