U.S. airman pleads not guilty to sexual assault of minor in Okinawa

It seems such sex crimes are forgiven in America if not guilty.

Regardless of the location, should a “not guilty” person ever be condemned?

This looks like it might be one of those cases that we occasionally read about: a flirtatious under-16 year old girl willing accompanies a horny over-21 year old man somewhere, and he is then charged with kidnapping because a youth can’t legally consent.

Most people probably have the common sense to avoid these situations, but others might benefit from guidance provided by friends, mentors, schools, or public institutions.

This incident was reported to the police by a friend of the girl.

She willfully entered his car and went to his apartment because he apparently told her “It's cold, so let's not talk in the car.”

Whether he knew her exact age or not is probably a he-said, she-said situation. We just don’t know.

Kwatt....I'll be blunt...not rude.

You really dont grasp some Criminal Law basics.

Allegations have to be proved.

Until then there is a "presumption of innocence "

Behavior must fit within the framework of any act considered criminal.

Assumptions are not evidence.

Testimony is evidence but testimony can be disputed.

"Let a hundred guilty men go FREE, lest {before } ONE INNOCENT man be convicted "

Old Common Law saying.

The reason Japanese Police have a 90% plus conviction rate on arrested persons is due to the manner under which persons are held.

Pretty shameful when compared to most of the West.

Are you more interested in punishing this person or in seeing him get a fair hearing ?

kwattToday 07:49 am JST

Crime is crime whatever. That's all about it, so he must go to jail for years. It seems such sex crimes are forgiven in America if not guilty

Not guilty means you are not guilty. Why should one need forgiveness?

, Brennon Washington, 25, said, "I'm not guilty," asserting he is innocent of the charges.

Bet any money in the world the cops held him in detention trying to get him to confess and he kept his mouth shut. Now they have to "prove" their case. As they should.

The problem is that we don't know this. 

We do know this. Past research has been published comparing crime committed by SOFA members vs. crime committed by the Japanese public.

As always, there is just too little information in this article to form an opinion either way. It could be that the guy is guilty as charged, it could be that the girl was trying to make a bit of pocket money. Hopefully, the trial will discover what happened.

What bugs me about this is that the Japanese Foreign Ministry knew about this but withheld the information. What other information are they withholding from us?

It says "he touched the girl knowing she was under age "

So there is no info. for posters assumptions is there ?

Yet he should be sent to jail for a long time, writes one poster.

Because of the girl's age, and other considerations, we may be unlikely to hear of the substantial allegation.

But certainly, there is no allegation of "rape " . ?

Don't be so naive. Based upon population alone there are more "Japanese" crimes committed against Japanese people than by the US military in Okinawa.

Only an ignorant person would even try to state otherwise. (Do the research, the information is out there)

This has been published over and over in the decades I've been here. Per capita crime per US military and dependents is roughly one half that of the local rate.

I remember Kevin Maher, former US Consul General in Okinawa and former director of the State Department's Office of Japan Affairs called residents of Japan's southern island "lazy" and "masters of extortion," an apparent reference to financial subsidies Tokyo pays to Okinawans in exchange for hosting U.S. military bases on the island. He took considerable flak for those remarks, probably because they hit a little too close to home.

Yuburu Conviction rate is high here BECAUSE of 1/lack of bail 2/lack of Police recording interrogation 3/ lack of access to lawyer.4/heavy tactics by Police during interrogation including sleep deprivation...

Still a presumption of innocence....thats a legal concept you havent figured out and Japanese Police do not believe in it.

How many parties in a criminal case ?

3...The defendant, the Prosecution and the Judge.

I'm guessing you have little training in Law ?

The concept of presumption of innocence IS NOT ETIGUISHED because of malodorous Police practices.

Oh...I just checked The Ministry of Justice {Japan } website.

They specifically acknowledge the "presumption of innocence " in criminal law matters.

So, I am right and Yubaru....you are wrong.

I simply googled "Is there a presumption of innocence in Japan criminal law " and the Ministry website miraculously appeared.

The problem is that we don't know this.

Don't be so naive. Based upon population alone there are more "Japanese" crimes committed against Japanese people than by the US military in Okinawa.

Only an ignorant person would even try to state otherwise. (Do the research, the information is out there)

Without doing a big course of study in Japanese Law and Practice...I still assert there is a "presumption of innocence " here in Japan

Otherwise, why have trials ?

Think about it.

So far , he is alleged to have "touched her ".

That's all.

Some people were witch burners in previous lives.

And the famous statue, of a figure holding "the scales of Justice " shows the figure is blindfolded.

Think about it.

Any adult knows that it’s illegal to have sexual relations with a 15 year old. It’s not news. There are plenty of perfectly attractive adult women out there. This guy goes down.

Here's another problem, people not having any reading comprehension abilities and then going and assuming that a different crime was committed than the one being charged.

Nowhere does it state that there were any　"sexual relations". Read the title of the article and then reread the article.

If you still dont understand it, ask, and folks will explain it to you!

albaleo...actually prosecutors will always consider the possibility of WINNING a case before they proceed.

The evidence must be there.

And yes, Police treatment of suspects the prime mover in confession I would assume.

The assertion that American visitors must not commit any crimes at all while in Okinawa or mainland Japan always makes me shake my head. Yes, they are guests. Yes, they should be on their best behavior. For example, speed limits are set in law. But why do people, all people, still exceed them? So, allow the punishment of crimes as they fit the crimes. An American that commits a heinous act such as rape (and there is no forgiveness for rape in my mind) should be met with the established punishment; just as a local would. But to except Americans to be absolutely perfect seems absurd.

Let's take that thought that Americans should be absolutely crime-less because they are in a foreign country further. Since they are guests in Japan, they should not be victims of motorcycle theft or vandalism by Japanese. That's just wrong to commit against a guest. Right....??? They should be able to leave their doors 100% unlocked all the time because they are guests in the country right??

So, it's idiotic and wrong for this dude to have any sexual activity with a minor girl consensual or not. Come on.... Under 16??? You can't tell me he didn't know she was at least under age. Whatever the punishment that comes if he is determined guilty, it should be the same as any other individual in the country.

It was "non consensual sex " only because as a minor she is deemed to be unable to consent.

Jesus on a Biscuit whats wrong with posters here ?

What is wrong with you? There was NO charge of rape against the guy in the article. There is nothing about consensual sex, and btw, the article has been added to include the charge of kidnapping, which was not included before.

Sexual assault does not always mean that there was sex involved!

What is wrong with people who can not comprehend what they are reading before they make comments?

Without doing a big course of study in Japanese Law and Practice...I still assert there is a "presumption of innocence " here in Japan

Assert all you want, and you still will be wrong. Ever wonder why prosecutors allegedly have a 99% conviction rate?

When you figure that one out, THEN you will figure out that there is no such thing as a "presumption of innocence!"

Ever wonder why prosecutors allegedly have a 99% conviction rate?

I've read that one reason is that prosecutors only proceed with about 40% of cases brought to them by the police, i.e. the ones they are confident of winning.

They specifically acknowledge the "presumption of innocence " in criminal law matters.

You have no idea the reality of life in Japan. In a manner of speaking. many things here may say one thing "on paper", but reality is the opposite.

I can see from your responses, that you are oblivious to the obvious.

Longterm....with Japanese females I always think they are younger than they are.

Good skin, healthy, slim ...all helps.

But I also think a 15 year old girl could pass herself off as aged 18, or whatever the age of consent is.

This is what a defence lawyer would ask.

1/ What does touching inappropriately mean in reality. ?

2/Are you {complainant } in the habit of getting into strangers cars {jury might think she is promiscuous }

3/ Did you cry out for help, or run away first chance you got ?

4/ Was this your first and only sexual encounter in your life.?

Actually, most of these would be ruled inadmissible in Australian Courts.

Did you know that rape trials have a low incidence of conviction ?

At least in countries with "beyond a reasonable doubt " direction by the Judge.

But this story has generated 50 comments without even providing any real detail of what occurred.

Called "pushing peoples' buttons "

GuruMick,

True. Yeah. It is harder to judge their age. You would have to live in Japan quite a few years to really achieve the ability but still...... It's not just the looks but the personality too that I'm referencing. However, I agree with you that this is really, without more detail, just such an incomplete picture......

Most people probably have the common sense to avoid these situations, but others might benefit from guidance provided by friends, mentors, schools, or public institutions.

So true. I was surprised to read on this site yesterday about the arrest of a 26-year-old police officer on suspicion of having non-consensual sex with a girl, knowing that she was under the age of 16, in a car in a parking lot.

The alleged sexual assault came to light when the girl told her family what had happened. Her family contacted police to file a complaint.

These cases are becoming too common.

It was "non consensual sex " only because as a minor she is deemed to be unable to consent.

Jesus on a Biscuit whats wrong with posters here ?

@LongtermJuly 14 05:50 am

As I understand it, it's not only because American visitors commit crimes, but because to a greater or lesser extent America finds excuses to shield them. This makes it partially on the US military and the USA as a state. There would be less groaning if any crimes by Americans are handled completely by Japanese law enforcement, without any official or unofficial privileges.

We don't even know the age of the victim. All we know if that the girl is at most 15 years of age.

Unfortunatelly zero is zero information on any of those so called articles to make a judgment if the guy was guilty or not. I really hope he and she will get a fair and impartial trial, and not one made out of medieval forced confession, like is the process in Japan sadly.

What is the IQ minimum for the USA military ? Zero ? Any Adult knows you do not go talking to minors ( 16 and younger unless your are related e.g father brother sister. or they are unsafe. then you phone the police. Let alone offer them a lift to his place to carry on their in-depth conversation. If you think it is normal for adult male to start a conversation with a female minor then entice them into your car and home. Then need to reset or moral compass.

Yubaru you write "There is no such thing as a presumption of innocence "

But it's on the Ministry of Justice website .

Longterm...I cant see "personality " helping with an age determination in Japan.

I'm serious.

I've not really had deep and meaningful conversations with many {wife excepted } women , even from aged 50 years up.

However, if you want to talk about K pop, kawaii culture, food and whatever grabs you, here's the place.

Ministry was aware of the two incidents but refrained from providing the information to the Okinawa prefectural government,

And

 as local police decided not to disclose the incident.

They are acting in collusion with each other and undermining the authority of the prefectural government. It's not just the "local" police, but the national police agency as well, under which the "local" police fall under.

Also as I have stated previously the media has be oppressed as well, as they didnt report it as they certainly knew it happened as well.

Something smells to high heaven about this case.

The percentage of these type of alleged crimes happen at a higher rate among the Japanese in Okinawa compared to US Forces and their affiliates.

YubaruToday  11:37 am JST

Allegations have to be proved.

Until then there is a "presumption of innocence "

Living in the wrong country. This doesnt matter here!

Yes, this is more or less true. So better not commit crimes here. You can have wonderful days in Okinawa.

So far , he is alleged to have "touched her ".

How deeply and long he touched her? No information about it. That's why they have trial.

The percentage of these type of alleged crimes happen at a higher rate among the Japanese in Okinawa compared to US Forces and their affiliates.

As you see, all US personnels are sent to Japan as official guest. The US government sent them to Okinawa. These US personnels are not just another tourist or sightseer. These are officials of the United States of America. They must not commit crimes in the first place.

“The percentage of these type of alleged crimes happen at a higher rate among the Japanese in Okinawa compared to US Forces and their affiliates.”

The problem is that we don't know this. The article says that this data was originally withheld. What other data is being hidden from us?

Allegations have to be proved.

Until then there is a "presumption of innocence "

Living in the wrong country. This doesnt matter here!

Any adult knows that it’s illegal to have sexual relations with a 15 year old. It’s not news. There are plenty of perfectly attractive adult women out there. This guy goes down.

This is on the Japanese government, of which the police are a part. Carrying water for the US military as usual.

@GruMick

I understand what you mean. Just wait and see... The guy is going to be guilty. Japanese police have a victim of the girl. She tells us everything about it in trial.

Kwatt....mate....you should NEVER sit on any jury

The victim can see his face and points to him even if she doesn't sit there.

According to the indictment dated March 27, Washington is alleged to have asked the girl to speak to him in his car at a park in the village of Yomitan on Dec. 24 and then drove her to his residence before committing indecent acts such as touching her while knowing she was not yet 16 years old.

What his recruiter station really promise him, really? That he can do whatever he like while in Japan or abroad?

Regardless of the location, should a “not guilty” person ever be condemned?

The idiot is going to be guilty sooner or later when the girl pointed to him in the trial.

But certainly, there is no allegation of "rape " . ?

I don't think the guy was playing house for fun with the girl at that time.

Have I , again, killed a thread through logic ?

MocheakeToday  12:52 pm JST

kwattToday 07:49 am JST

Crime is crime whatever. That's all about it, so he must go to jail for years. It seems such sex crimes are forgiven in America if not guilty

Not guilty means you are not guilty. Why should one need forgiveness?

He is not sentenced yet in trial. He will be guilty in the very near future. Don't worry!

Not guilty means you are not guilty. Why should one need forgiveness?

There is another story. A long time ago a boy killed a little girl in wood in America. He was sentenced "mercy" instead of guilty. There was clear evidence he killed her. But he was forgiven in trial but not innocent. Jurors must have thought about his future.

Crime is crime whatever. That's all about it, so he must go to jail for years. It seems such sex crimes are forgiven in America if not guilty.

Jail and deport for that scumbag..

Bet any money in the world the cops held him in detention trying to get him to confess and he kept his mouth shut. Now they have to "prove" their case. As they should.

He might or might no got SERE training but somehow he applies that SERE technique quite well so far.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival,_Evasion,_Resistance_and_Escape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPRDQfF7W5E

Guilty, guilty, guilty..

Now they have to "prove" their case. 

The girl is going to point to him. He did it.

 Ministry was aware of the two incidents but refrained from providing the information to the Okinawa prefectural government,

Japanese way, it is best to make things quiet.