U.S. Navy member suspected of sex crime against Okinawa minor

NAHA –

Okinawa Prefectural Police have sent papers on a U.S. Navy member in his 20s to prosecutors over an alleged nonconsensual indecent act against a Japanese minor, authorities said Wednesday.

The Okinawa police made the referral on Nov. 7 and notified the prefectural government of the matter the same day. The police did not disclose whether the serviceman has admitted or denied the allegations.

He is suspected of touching a Japanese girl under the age of 18 in an outdoor area of Okinawa’s main island in June.

A passerby, who heard the girl calling for help, contacted the police, according to investigators.

The man remains under U.S. military control.

The case follows a string of sexual assault incidents involving U.S. service members that came to light in June last year, including attacks on girls under 16.

The lack of information-sharing with the prefecture became a source of controversy, prompting police to establish a system the following month to notify the prefecture when a U.S. service member is arrested or referred to prosecutors.