Japan Indicts US Marine in Okinawa Hotel Robbery-Murder Case

Prosecutors in Okinawa have indicted a 20-year-old US Marine on robbery and murder charges in the Okinawa murder case involving a woman found strangled in a hotel, ABC News reported, citing Japanese broadcaster NHK. The indictment was announced on Sunday (Oct 25).

The accused, Devin Jacob Ballard, is assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force and stationed at Futenma Air Base in Okinawa. NHK said the indictment came from the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office.

Okinawa murder case details

The victim, a 39-year-old resident of Naha City, was found dead at a hotel in Naha on Oct 3. According to the report, she was strangled with a telephone receiver cord wrapped around her neck.

A backpack holding her wallet and other belongings was allegedly taken. Local police said some of her possessions were later found dumped near the hotel, NHK reported.

Security footage and suspect’s statements

Investigators said security camera footage showed a person who appeared to be a foreigner entering the hotel with the woman and later leaving with her belongings. Police said the man in the footage resembled Ballard, including his hairstyle and tattoos.

When he was arrested, Ballard allegedly told police he knew nothing about the case. Investigators told NHK that in later questioning he made statements that partly suggested involvement. Prosecutors have not disclosed whether he made any incriminating statements.

A spokesperson for the III Marine Expeditionary Force confirmed Ballard’s assignment but declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and privacy rules.

Protests and government response

The case sparked protests in Okinawa and Tokyo. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a social media statement that Japan had lodged a strong protest with the United States, describing the killing as “an extremely brutal and heinous incident.”

According to ABC News, Okinawa lawmakers adopted a resolution on Oct 9 calling for revisions to an agreement seen as giving the US military preferential treatment in Japan.

The report did not give a date for Ballard’s first court appearance.

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