NAHA–The Naha District Court convicted a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa Prefecture of sexual assault and sentenced him to seven years in prison.
“The nature of the crime was dangerous and malicious,” Presiding Judge Kazuhiko Obata said in delivering the sentence on June 24.
Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, was indicted on charges of causing injury during non-consensual sexual intercourse at a house on the main Okinawa island on May 26, 2024.
Clayton pleaded not guilty, saying he was invited into the house by the woman.
However, the court found the defendant’s defense unsupported by evidence and determined the woman’s testimony was highly credible.
According to the ruling, Clayton approached the woman whom he did not know and sexually assaulted her at her boyfriend’s residence.
During the attack, he choked her and caused injuries to her eyes and mouth that took two weeks to heal, according to the ruling.
The court noted that the woman reported the attack to police immediately after Clayton left the scene and sent messages to friends describing the assault.
It said these actions lend credence to her testimony that there was no consent.
The ruling also noted that the woman continues to suffer from trauma and is having difficulties in her daily life.
The trial was held under the citizen judge system. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison term.
Since June last year, a series of sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel have come to light in Okinawa Prefecture.
In response, U.S. military personnel and local police have conducted joint patrols in entertainment districts and taken other crime-prevention measures.
Officials of the U.S. military, the Okinawa prefectural government and others have discussed the crime issue at a forum.
AloJapan.com