crime

Two U.S. sailors indicted for alleged rape in Okinawa

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Fad, are we supposed to sympathize with rapists for that punishment? In my book, even with a dishonorable discharge, they got off far too lightly.

I don't disagree with you. Rape of someone who's ANY age is heinous and 7 years isn't an appropriate jail term. Even the listed maximum of 10 years seems light. I was simply pointing out that these guys will not be returning home and acting like nothing happened while they were overseas. All the time they spent in the service becomes a big blank on their resume. If they list their navy service, then employers will want to see their DD-214. On that DD-214 is the status of their discharge. Would YOU hire someone who received a dishonorable discharge? Neither would most other businesses. In addition, most states will record them as convicted sex offenders which severely affects their opportunities for employment even if they DON'T list their navy service. They are a couple of extremely stupid people to destroy their lives like this over a drunken crime.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We know the majority do good things but that is not what this story is about.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thank you, moderator. All I wanted to do was point out the nmajority of the good things to contrast the minority of the bad.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Stop calling it rape. It wasn't rape. There must be penetration in order for it to be rape. There was no penetration. She was allegedly touched in a sexual manner.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How about community service events performed by the military members who visit orphanages & repair things, beautify things & have positive interaction with children who are all but ignored by Japanese citizens; cooking food & delivering it to homeless Japanese people; delivering water, food & clothing to survivors of the earthquake & subsequent tsunami.

No, let's ignore the multitude of good things foreigners do in Japan & focus on a few bad apples in order to paint all foreigners as demons.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It doesn't have anything to do with them being US Military men, I'm sorry, you can't use that as an excuse, because rape has been going on in Japan and every other country since the dawn of time. No one one reading this can say that Japanese men don't rape. Don't blame the US, we don't hold the patent on idiots.

The problem is the sentences, hell in some of the Providences if the man apologizes to the girls family, pays them a large fine he can go home the same day of the trial; never serving one day in prison. Makes no sense.

The punishment must fit the crime.

bec

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Samuel, you shouldn't feel ashamed for the behaviour of two idiots. Most American GIs stationed in kinakwa are hard working and respectable men and women who are helping Japan. If anything, you should be proud of the service these people provide Japan and the US.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yes Marines should pull out.. Blah Blah Blah Okinawans need to think about how much revenue is generated from the bases before they scream pull out. The local economy will crumble. The acts that these people did are horrible. I am ashamed as an American. But for arguments sake how much crime is the military responsible for? 1 or 2 % of the over all. I also look at it like this how would I feel if an Afgani man rapped a woman from my town. But in America racial lines are blured and I say punish these people.

I wish the would get a dishonorerable discharge and then let Japanese extradite them back to the US. Or maybe keep them in until the military court can punish them for Article 92 and send them to the brig again.....

Just my personal opinions.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Indeed Yubaru. Yuri and it seems most Okinawans haven't moved on from the 95 case.

No one really cares about rape here. If they did, the sentences would be stronger and uni students wouldn't get suspended sentence after gang rapes, men wouldn't get a slap on the wrist... Plus, the police wouldn't re-victimize a women who reports it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When they receive fair treatment under the law the people of Okinawa will nod theirs heads and move forward.

If this were true then like tmarie wrote and with which I agree the folks in Okinawa would let the past be in the past. Yet you, and too many others use the 95' incident as the basis of most arguments about service members and rape, and refuse to let the issue die.

Japanese will be satisfied only because they were tried in a Japanese court and sent to a Japanese prison. The overwhelming majority of Japanese people either don't care or are uniformed about the differences in sentencing.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yuri, I wish they would move forward but I don't think they will. They're still screaming about the rape that happen well over a decade ago and always bring it up. Rape is a huge issue in Japan and the sentencing here is a joke!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

These two sailors need to receive equal treatment under Japanese laws. I agree the sentences will probably be too short but it is Japanese law. When they receive fair treatment under the law the people of Okinawa will nod theirs heads and move forward. What the US Navy does to them is not Japans concern. Am sure they will be separated under less than honorable conditions and that is a punishment all by itself.

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Fad, are we supposed to sympathize with rapists for that punishment? In my book, even with a dishonorable discharge, they got off far too lightly.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I don't know the details of this case, but for the 1995 rape where three huge guys rented a car, cruised the streets, grabbed a 12 year old, tied her down with duct tape and . . . the rest is best left unsaid. These guys only got 6/7 years. I don't know about death, but certainly life would have been more appropriate.

All three received dishonorable discharges from the service after they were released from Japanese prison. Before you say, "So what?", consider what that means:

With this characterization of service, all veterans' benefits are lost, regardless of any past honorable service. This type of discharge is regarded as shameful in the military. In many states a dishonorable discharge is deemed the equivalent of a felony conviction, with attendant loss of civil rights. Additionally, US federal law prohibits ownership of firearms by those who have been discharged under dishonorable conditions per the Gun Control Act of 1968.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_discharge#Dishonorable

These two can look forward to the same result after leaving Japan's prisons.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Back on topic please.

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there's a general belief that more crimes are committed by foreigners than by Japanese

No. There is not. It's this kind of statement that spreads that 'belief'.

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Browning is also facing charges of robbing her of money.

Why would a person do that ? 14 years is good

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Well - One thing is after their Japan prison term they will be re arrested and face military desertion charges because they are missing work days in the military.

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Well said Peter. Okinawans scream that they want these guys charged under their laws - and fair enough - but as indicated above, rape sentences here are a joke. Until Japan starts handing out longer sentences I will always feel for the victims has not only were they raped but they also suffer through the court system, the gossip and knowing that the guy/s who raped them only got a slap on the wrist - foreigner or Japanese.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

they not only attacked and raped her, but one of them also searched her wallet and stole her cash. I hope the judge will also take this into consideration if these animals will choose the typical defense "we were drunk, don't remember, stressed and horny, etc."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's probably more to do with income disparity. They hire people from poor backgrounds and hence are more likely to commit crimes.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Some soldiers who come from the civilized nation America are not necessarily civilized. It may be showing there is big gap among people in America - a huge country of mixed races,

That sounded very racist. It has nothing to do with race. Don't generalize the entire armed services. There are plenty of good men and women that will put their lives on the line for this Island. The majority of the men and women in uniform are not like this, they are very special and highly committed and would never be caught doing dastardly act like this. These guys are the bottom of the barrel bunch and should do hard labor. NO death Penalty or anything like that, but keeping them locked in a tiny cell for 23 hours of the day, take away the TV, all other forms of entertainment, keep them isolated from the general population, that's real suffering. But blaming it on the races is a very insensitive thing to say.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think rape is horrible and they should get full punishmnet. Though I am an American, rape is rape and if it was my mother or daughter I would rather punish them myself. Here is wikipedias info on the average rape sentence in the USA. It does vary from state to state over here: "Prison sentences for rape are not uniform. A study made by the U.S. Department of Justice of prison releases in 1992, involving about 80 percent of the prison population, found that the average sentence for convicted rapists was 11.8 years, while the actual time served was 5.4 years. This follows the typical pattern for violent crimes in the US, where those convicted typically serve no more than half of their sentence".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ simon: That is not justice its vengeance

I agree its a vengeance but at same time it is all about how we feel about the Justice served. Its human nature if anything bad happens to us its end of the world and if anything bad happens to our colleague then we say oh its not the end of the world. I know these guys will be out of military without any benefits, will serve few yrs in jail but at the end the question will still remain, how good was the justice? Just take the example of that British girl Hawker's killer. He is still alive, asking for mercy? I think in this case judge will not even give them life imprisonment either (4-5 yrs, 2 yrs more than illegal downloading?) but we need to set an example that "Rape" is a serious crime, don't do it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I don't know the details of this case, but for the 1995 rape where three huge guys rented a car, cruised the streets, grabbed a 12 year old, tied her down with duct tape and . . . the rest is best left unsaid. These guys only got 6/7 years. I don't know about death, but certainly life would have been more appropriate.

Not relevant in this case and totally off topic.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

People are beginning to realize, which is why you see demonstrations in Tokyo now too.

Well I hope that people will deal with this rationally rather than reacting with nationalistic mob-rule.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thomas Anderson,

Hahaha this is how the US has got you by the balls. The Japanese are duped into thinking that the US is indispensable to them.

True - to some degree.

However, the real data is beginning to filter through the media smoke screen.

People are beginning to realize, which is why you see demonstrations in Tokyo now too.

http://www.japanfocus.org/-John-Junkerman/3701

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The topic is never discussed,

Because its not revelent.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In_Japan-san,

Just imagine 2 guys (probably 2 gay guys) trying to rape you. What would be your reaction? You will be like I'll kill em. right? or you just want them to be in jail for 10-15 yrs.

I don't know the details of this case, but for the 1995 rape where three huge guys rented a car, cruised the streets, grabbed a 12 year old, tied her down with duct tape and . . . the rest is best left unsaid. These guys only got 6/7 years. I don't know about death, but certainly life would have been more appropriate.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Absolutely unforgivable of those fools in the US military. That being said, I'd like to see discussions of rape by Japanese vs. rape by foreigners. The topic is never discussed, and there's a general belief that more crimes are committed by foreigners than by Japanese, a statistical impossibility when only 1.5% of the country are foreigners. Even my wife, enlightened person that she is, has assumed such-and-such theft in our city must have been by foreigners when statistically, this would be very unlikely. (And in the above case it turned out to be an organised Japanese criminal gang.)

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@ in_japan That is not justice its vengeance.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Simon: Akemi seriously the death penalty for rape?

Mr. Simon, Just imagine 2 guys (probably 2 gay guys) trying to rape you. What would be your reaction? You will be like I'll kill em. right? or you just want them to be in jail for 10-15 yrs.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I sincerely hope these problems don't affect the military alliance between United States and Japan. The stability of the Asia-Pacific region depends of presence of our American friends.

Hahaha this is how the US has got you by the balls. The Japanese are duped into thinking that the US is indispensable to them.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

what's "core value training" to require "core value REtraining"? And how do you train somebody in core values? Can someone explain, please?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hopefully, once they get out of Japanese jail, they'll get thrown in the brig for a few more years.

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To davidd1212: You seem to be one of the few people who post here that realizes what's going on.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If you are raped you need to go to the hospital within 4 hours to prove your case with DNA. I doubt the sailors admitted to rape to the police. Is there a confession video? Is there DNA evidence? Other nationalities commit rapes too but I never see that in the news.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I sincerely hope these problems don't affect the military alliance between United States and Japan. The stability of the Asia-Pacific region depends of presence of our American friends.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Sad that half of the girls I talked to still insist their lover boy Sailor won't cheat around or act like goons like those two sailors. I don't see why the women still mess with those guys. Plus those girls were skippy clothing to the nightclubs, you just asking for trouble from drunk hyper young military boys who probably saw their first half clothed Japanese girl and went bonkers. They shouldn't even be in Okinawa there are enough bases in Japan, most just wanna get deployed for a good time and play around anyway

. So your personal obsevations are indicitave of the whole? They will face justice and rightfully so. Sad that there are fools like these two. If only I could invent that all seeing eye.........

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sorry to all of you folks who think we are leaving....US bases in Japna are by far the most stable in the world...many bases are closing in Europe but here they are building and opening more bases in Asia. Japan needs us here to keep stability in this area of the world. It is a fact...sorry we are not going anywhere anytime soon....and the curview will be lifted soon and life will retuirn to normal and this event will be forgotten.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Keep them in a military zone, which civilians could enter if they wished to, which Okinawa could create easily. There should be no drinking for military personnel outside of these zones

.

There is a zone, it's call the "Base".

Should they also not be allowed to shop off base, see the sites, ride the train/bus/taxi, no wedding, or local spouse family visits, Obaa's birthday party, tug-of-war or local festivals? Where would you like this line to be drawn? How about 9-5pm only, would that work for you?

And BTW, do you drink in Japan, only in your own home?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sad that half of the girls I talked to still insist their lover boy Sailor won't cheat around or act like goons like those two sailors. I don't see why the women still mess with those guys. Plus those girls were skippy clothing to the nightclubs, you just asking for trouble from drunk hyper young military boys who probably saw their first half clothed Japanese girl and went bonkers. They shouldn't even be in Okinawa there are enough bases in Japan, most just wanna get deployed for a good time and play around anyway.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

anti-Americanism

boo boo.. not "anti-Americanism" it's anti-foreign military bases.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@mtwildman yeah and the problems were alcohol related as well. Public intoxication charge in 2010 in Texas.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Idiots. Young, drunk, and stupid AND military. Not a good combination. Months of frustration piled on top. Keep them in a military zone, which civilians could enter if they wished to, which Okinawa could create easily. There should be no drinking for military personnel outside of these zones.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@ Akemi seriously the death penalty for rape?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I googled these bozo's and Skyler Dozierwalker has had problems w/the law in the states prior to joining the military.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

However, why is the rape incident always magnified with the U.S. personnel?

same reason "comfort women" are still an issue for china and korea. its politically motivated.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sure, one incident by any U.S. service member is too many but facts are facts. Idiots will do idiotic things. The Okinawa media will magnify the story of U.S. servicemen now matter how heinous the crime. Majority of the U.S. servicemen and women are doing wonderful job but they are not welcome in Okinawa. Time for Japan to defend their own territory.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Americans are in Okinawa because the USA beat Japan during WW2, simple as that. Japan attacked the USA, Pearl Harbor etc..the USA got back at Japan with Hiroshima and Nagasaki and for good measure kept Okinawa as a kind of a prize and also as a buffer against the commies in China, Russiaand it is bad, North Korea etc.. it is bad, sad horrible to know that these rapes etc...are still going on in Okinawa, but it is not as easy as we all want this situation to be, now Japan knows that CHINA is not just some poor country that can be used as a backyard for Japan to transfer its factor so Japan and the rest of the world can take advantage of the poor labor conditions there in China, so as far as i can tell, this situation will not change anytime soon and the American side really has to crack down on the crazies in the base and make them some kind of deal, you mess around in Japan, next flight will be on over to Iraq, Afghanistan etc...were the US Marines can really earn their $$$, and not just kick back and enjoy sunny, SAFE Okinawa.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

has fanned the flames of anti-Americanism on the island.

I have a problem on how this is written, As I understand it, the Okinawans do not have an Anti-American and are not protesting the Americans. They are protesting the military as a whole. An American military member will still get treated with respect while out in towm shopping with family, visiting restauraunts, etc.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

what a helpless girl was doing in at 4 o'clock in the morning.

Is thier a problem with that? Shall Okinawa and Japan ban women from being out at 4 in the morning? In any rape cases, it is never the fault of the women, regardless of the time, what she is wearing, etc.,nothing.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Akemi, I'm sure Karma will go into action when they get to prison.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The only solution to this is for the US military to leave.

Slapped wrists won't fix it, nor will curfews.

I thought they were going to Guam?

Didn't Japan pay some HUGE money for this to occur?

I just hope we got a receipt!

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Some soldiers who come from the civilized nation America are not necessarily civilized. It may be showing there is big gap among people in America - a huge country of mixed races,

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Give'em the death penalty. Scumbags like this needs to be made into an example.

-6 ( +6 / -11 )

Good to see justice is being done. The thing is that the 2 perpetrators receive the same treatment that any non SOFA person would receive. Seeing justice being done is not anti American.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Ok, so we have indictments, Osprey demonstrations, alleged rape, alleged assault, breaking curfew, and calls for base shutdown.

Anything missing?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Skyler Dozierwalker?!

Wow.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Once you are indicted, your toast.

Now you can get a lawyer, but it will do no good.

That being said, what you did was wrong, she did not deserve to be attacked and now you will pay the price of your very bad choice in life.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I don't understand why unrelated incidents to the indictment are being continually added to stories unless the desire is to further inflame anti-military sentiments.

Moderators here often times will remove off topic statements from posters, yet included in this article, are three distinctly "off-topic" issues directly unrelated to the announcement of the indictments.

Some clarification would be appreciated.

Moderator: What you call off-topic issues are factors that are directly impacted by the alleged crime.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When they have been found guilty lets lock them up for a long time.

Sadly though the long time is not going to be anywhere near long enough if the courts hands down a typical sentence. In a previous much more heinous case involving a 12yr old and 3 military folks, the longest sentence was 7 years.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

the woman suffered neck injuries during the incident.

Not to mention the years of emotional and psychological trauma she will also suffer. Poor girl.

When they have been found guilty lets lock them up for a long time. Im not a fan of the whole "sue people" culture, but I hope this girl takes them, and the US military for all she can.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

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