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Man charged in sex case is civilian CentCom employee

 
Published Sept. 27, 2012

TAMPA — U.S. Central Command officials said Wednesday that Stephen Michael Governale, arrested and accused of trying to sexually entice a 17-year-old boy, is a civilian employee of CentCom's protocol office at MacDill Air Force Base.

CentCom said Governale is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and is not assigned to CentCom in a military capacity. Governale has worked at CentCom since 2008.

An FBI arrest affidavit detailing the case against Governale identified him as an active military officer assigned to CentCom. CentCom officials say they cannot comment on the case.

Governale, 49, of Tampa was arrested Friday in Seminole County and is being held without bail pending a Monday hearing in Orlando federal court.