Air Force doctor charged with assault, drug distribution?

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:22:32 -0500

The Air Force has charged an anesthesiologist at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with drug distribution and aggravated assault.

Lt. Col. Martin Harssema is scheduled to stand court-martial at the base May 11, according to the Air Force's online judge advocate general docket.

In addition to distribution of schedule IV and schedule V drugs, Harssema is charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and fraternization.

Schedule IV and V drugs are considered those with low potential for abuse and risk of dependence, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration's website.

An Air Force public affairs officer at Andrews confirmed the charges against Harssema, but refused to release the charging documents for the case. Air Force Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Harssema's charging documents.

Harssema graduated from the anesthesiology residency program in 2009 at the University of Florida, the school's website states.

He has been an anesthesiologist with the Air Force since 2009, according to his LinkedIn profile. As recently as December, Harssema served as Critical Care Air Transport Team program director at Andrews.

Attempts to reach Harssema through the Air Force and his LinkedIn profile were not immediately successful.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/02/23/andrews-air-force-lieutenant-colonel-anesthesiologist-charged-drug-assault/23888933/

Air Force doctor charged with assault, drug distribution

Court martial for Lt. Col Martin Harssema, a Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, anesthesiologist, set for May

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2015 5:02 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 17:02:23 -0500

Nothing surprises me any more. As I'm reading this report about this AF LtCol, I'm listening to a report about a local business owner who was taking pictures of women using the bathroom in his restaurant/bar. People are people, and some people are not very nice.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 18 at 2015 7:54 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 19:54:51 -0500

What the Hell was he Distributing? Low risk of abuse or dependence. Was he running a Black Market Advil Ring? There is definitely more to this story and I would love to hear the rest of it.

Response by PFC Robert Morris made Dec 2 at 2017 5:48 AM

PFC Robert Morris — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 05:48:59 -0500

Stripped him of his title of doctor and put the f***** in jail