U.S. Air Force member gets 5-year term for sexual assault of minor in Okinawa

Happy to see this rapist convicted. I wish he had received better guidance in his life before he made this grave choice. Hopefully he can eventually leave prison as a much better, reformed man.

Before we slander all U.S. troops serving in Okinawa, we should keep in mind that the data we have indicates that members of the U.S. military are four times less likely than a Japanese citizen to commit a crime down there.

Just like the Japanese people commenting crimes in other countries also

There are bad people and good people out there…

Maybe it's the ex-military in me, maybe it's that I'm a "girl-dad", doesn't seem like the sentence is long enough.... Again, could just be because I'm old..

 I wish he had received better guidance in his life before he made this grave choice

A 25 year old needs "guidance" to not rape a minor?

Unbelievable.

This scum deserves all the punishment coming to him.

You think his parents maybe forgot to give him the rape-is-bad speech?

I doubt he had involved “parents.” If he’s like 64% of Black children in the U.S., he grew up without a father figure present in his upbringing.

And he likely grew up poorer than most. More than half of enlisted U.S. recruits come from neighborhoods with below-average median household incomes.

Children raised with such baggage generally perform much better with some form of adult coaching/guidance.

Only 5 years! much severer penalty in the US regarding rape of minor.

A light sentence for a grave crime.

A 25 year old needs "guidance" to not rape a minor?

Obviously, yes! That’s pretty clear! This fellow is not well. He needed help.

Just like many adults need guidance not to drink alcohol or do drugs — sometimes people, even adults, benefit from guidance.

There is an easy solution. Boot them all out. 79 years of USA military occupation (and administering) on Okinawa and counting.

Children raised with such baggage generally perform much better with some form of adult coaching/guidance.

Can’t agree more! Virtually every university these days has a program to support first-generation young adults, who are more likely to come from marginalized groups. The military might need benefit from something similar.

Five years seems to be a little low for the rape of a minor.

The case not only triggered fresh anti-base sentiment in the prefecture, which hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, but also drew attention as local police and the central government did not disclose the incident to the prefectural government.

Indicates a systemic cover-up.

Five years for raping and with the aggravation of a minor is a pretty light sentence.

This shows how the prosecutors and judges have low regards for women’s dignity and this girl is still almost a child.

Very disappointing.

Following the ruling, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, said he is "deeply troubled" by the incident and vowed to cooperate with local authorities to ensure the individual completes the sentence mandated by the local court.

Most of US members are good soldiers. Some of them, not many are really bad ones easily commit crimes there. If the US military hands such suspects/criminals over to local police soon, the military itself have no problem. The US military should say we have nothing to do with such private crimes of their members. The military can hold a good pride and decency here. A problem is the military try to protect such suspects/criminals and let them flee back home, then bad reputation comes later to whole US military. Crime is crime, don't matter the US or Japan or other countries.

Did his recruitment officer promised that to him?

According to the ruling, Washington asked the girl to speak with him in his car at a park in the village of Yomitan on Dec. 24 last year.

Prior to that meeting at a park, they don't know each other and both of them didn't make any appointment. So they are just two stranger, with one of them is real monster.

https://x.com/allenklein96/status/1821578017409478981

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240712/k10014510161000.html

Like deanzaZZR, I cannot see why the US military is here in the first place. This isn't US soil. Most of the US military I have met are fine people. There are always a few bad apples like this guy. But good or bad, they have no place here. Nobody is attacking or likely to. The only ones who benefit are the banks. And they are having a field day!

Shocking stuff. Totally off the scale and beyond the scope of anything related to the phrase of public decency.

Need we admit this despicable event against a child would not have happened if it were not for the mere presence of occupation forces who act with impunity because they think their "leadership" is special or unique. Perverted way of logic.

A 25 year old needs "guidance" to not rape a minor? 

Unbelievable. 

This scum deserves all the punishment coming to him.

fight,

Maybe you missed the poster’s point.

Maybe the comment was related to his upbringing.

Once again a Japanese court showing this country does not take sex crime seriously at all.

I cannot see why the US military is here in the first place. 

Because it is the US and Japan Security Treaty after the War. The US said Japan can't have its own military at that time, instead the US protect Japan from other countries.

“We cannot tolerate incidents that ignore the dignity of women."

Well said

well if most of the service members good soldiers, serving together they did not share values with their 25yr old colleague. Or the training values were of the all-important US military need more governance. They spoke, she was minor. she spoke english! said NO. two transgression here. both rest on the predator' presumed ownership. 5yrs??

He is very lucky. He should be doing ten years in Leavenworth.

Far too light a sentence for this predatory knuckle dragger. A disgrace to his country and uniform. The only good news is that he can also be brought up under the UCMJ, and they play hardball with Article 120 issues. (Rape)

Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, said he is "deeply troubled" by the incident and vowed to cooperate with local authorities to ensure the individual completes the sentence mandated by the local court." This is a serious coon psssy . He wont do sht if US citizens are attacked but will always stay vowed to cooperate with local authorities. Thats why people are fools to sign up.

Lindsay

He is very lucky. He should be doing ten years in Leavenworth.

No, he should be doing ten years in a Japanese prison. Being allowed to serve a sentence back in his home country is a privilege he doesn't deserve.

He may have had to serve more time in prison if he had been court-marshalled by the USAF:

Sexual Assault and Misconduct Policies: The military has strict policies against sexual misconduct, including any form of sexual assault or abuse, particularly involving minors. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) explicitly addresses sexual crimes, ensuring that any form of sexual misconduct, especially with minors, is met with severe legal repercussions.

The new Grok is great:

If a member of the US military is charged with kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor, they would face a court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Here's an overview based on relevant laws and court outcomes:

Under the UCMJ: Article 120b deals specifically with sexual misconduct with minors, defining crimes like rape and sexual assault of a child with potentially severe punishments. Convictions under this article can lead to sentences ranging from up to 30 years imprisonment for sexual assault of a child to life imprisonment without parole for rape of a child.

Aggravated sexual assault under Article 120 carries a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment.

For kidnapping, the military law might parallel civilian law where federal kidnapping under 18 U.S.C. § 1201 can lead to life imprisonment, especially if compounded with other serious offenses like assault.

Real-World Sentencing Examples:Posts on X have indicated that a US serviceman in Japan was sentenced to five years in prison for similar charges, which highlights that sentences can vary based on jurisdiction, specifics of the case, and plea deals. However, this should be taken as an example rather than a standard, as sentences can differ widely.

Additional Considerations:The actual sentence can vary based on factors like the specifics of the crime, the accused's prior record, the presence of aggravating or mitigating circumstances, plea agreements, and the discretion of the military judge or commanding officers.

Military personnel convicted of such crimes might also face dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and lifelong registration as a sex offender.

In conclusion, while a conviction for these crimes could lead to very severe penalties, including life imprisonment, the actual sentence would depend on a detailed examination of the case specifics, the evidence presented, and the legal context in which it's adjudicated.

This punishment is a joke. His photo should also be on full display. Absolute disgusting. he needs to be put in a US prison and get some of what he gave.

Sexual assault is endemic to the USA military. You invite the USA military, you invite sexual violence.

During and beyond the 20 years of the post-9/11 wars, independent data suggest that actual sexual assault prevalence is two to four times higher than DoD estimations — 75,569 cases in 2021 and 73,695 cases in 2023,” the authors wrote in the report, which was released Wednesday.

https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/us-military-sexual-assault-rates-2-4-higher-govt-estimates-study-says-rcna166490

deanzaZZRToday 02:32 am JST

Sexual assault is endemic to the USA military.

to any military. FTFY. Put that up next to the accusations against Japanese males 18-30.

A 25 year old needs "guidance" to not rape a minor? 

Unbelievable. 

What a total lack of compassion.

What 25-year-old needs help with sexual compulsions, suicidal tendencies, chemical addiction, alcoholism, depression?

It is the dismissive attitude of people like you that results in these issues being ignored. And when these destructive thoughts and behaviors are not addressed, tragedies like the one presented in this article undoubtedly occur.

when these destructive thoughts and behaviors are not addressed, tragedies like the one presented in this article undoubtedly occur.

Just saw this.

More than any of the previous posts, yours hits the nail on the head.

Helping others remain emotionally healthy has a positive effect not only on them but resultantly all society.

Asiaman7Dec. 14 08:20 am JST

You think his parents maybe forgot to give him the rape-is-bad speech?

I doubt he had involved “parents.” If he’s like 64% of Black children in the U.S., he grew up without a father figure present in his upbringing.

And he likely grew up poorer than most. More than half of enlisted U.S. recruits come from neighborhoods with below-average median household incomes.

Children raised with such baggage generally perform much better with some form of adult coaching/guidance.

I understand the point but nobody ever brings up things like this when a white person or certain Asians commit a crime. You have an incoming U.S. president and possibly cabinet members with the same type of baggage. Donald Trump is seen as reputable and upstanding to a good part of the U.S. population and the world but he grew up with all of the good things people point to so what's the excuse for him? Anyone have the answer? Race-baiting is tiresome but it's always a point for people who want to use it to diminish another group. All of the Founding Fathers had slaves and some were rapists. They also had all of the trappings but they did the same bad things. How about the Japanese guy who repeatedly raped the intern and got her pregnant? Massive outrage on Okinawa about the American serviceman's crime but barely a peep in Japan over the intern. Her life is not of any concern to most people but when Vietnamese commit crimes this site lights up with hate toward that ethnicity. I believe the serviceman should have gotten a much heavier sentence but if the insinuation is that his race played a part then we need to examine a whole lot of other races and their behavior. Nobody's race or ethnicity is above anyone else's regardless of income or whatever.

I believe the serviceman should have gotten a much heavier sentence but if the insinuation is that his race played a part then we need to examine a whole lot of other races and their behavior. Nobody's race or ethnicity is above anyone else's regardless of income or whatever.

I wholeheartedly agree! There are plenty of Whites brought up in poor, unfavorable conditions who repeatedly engage in dumb, stupid behavior.

Love, education, and guidance are generally key to a sense of societal belonging.

Five years is not enough, Life would be a better prison sentence....