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SALT LAKE CITY — A former Syracuse city councilman and military officer will not go to prison for inappropriately touching another man in a steam room.
I just feel bad for the victim, extremely bad. I'm sure this has been very hard for him.
–Douglas J. Hammond
Douglas J. Hammond will serve 24 months probation, including six months of home confinement. U.S. District Judge Paul M. Warner issued the sentence Thursday. Hammond earlier pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery.
Hammond, 68, said the incident left him feeling foolish and humble.
"I just feel bad for the victim, extremely bad," he said. "I'm sure this has been very hard for him."
Hammond, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, went to the Hill Air Force Base gym on Dec. 10, 2009, to exercise and use the steam room. The steam room requires patrons to wear swim trunks, shorts or a towel. Hammond admitted to entering the room naked and sitting down next to a young man wearing a towel.
After a moment, Hammond reached under the towel and touched the man.
Prosecutor Carlos Esqueda said although the crime was serious, probation was the correct punishment.
Noting another incident in Hammond's past, Warner admonished him to seek counseling. "I think you've got some issues and you need to deal with them in an appropriate and professional way," he said.
Hammond said the incident also has been difficult for his wife who is wheelchair-bound and fighting breast cancer. Though Hammond is confined to home for the first six months of the sentence, the judge will allow him to leave as necessary to care for his wife.
Email:dromboy@ksl.com
