10/22/14 — SJAFB airman cited for giving policeman 'wet Willy'

View Archive

SJAFB airman cited for giving policeman 'wet Willy'

By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 22, 2014 1:46 PM

kfine@newsargus.com

A Seymour Johnson Air Force Base airman who was charged with a felony while on leave for allegedly giving a Minnesota police officer a "wet Willie" entered a guilty plea Monday on a lesser charge and was released.

Riley Swearingen, 24, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disruptive intoxication and issued an apology -- and was forced to pay nearly $100 in court fees.

The airman, a 4th Fighter Wing air traffic controller, was originally charged with assaulting a police officer with bodily fluids after he stuck two saliva soaked fingers into the ears of the officer after a night of drinking.

According to police documents, the airman registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.18 during a breathalyzer test.

4th Commander Col. Mark Slocum issued a statement early Wednesday.

"The airmen of the 4th Fighter Wing are held to the highest standards of professionalism. Those standards do not change when the uniform is removed and an airman is on leave," the statement read. "Unfortunately, a poor decision was made that fell short of those standards. This incident is in no way a representation of the high caliber of airmen we have assigned here. We respect and appreciate the sacrifice and service of local authorities and continue to build positive working relationships with them."