US Marine, 20, Arrested in Okinawa Over 39-Year-Old Woman's Alleged Murder
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 4
US Marine, 20, Arrested in Okinawa Over 39-Year-Old Woman's Alleged Murder
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 4
Summary
Okinawa police arrested Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, at about 1 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of killing Anna Yagi, 39, in a Naha hotel and taking her wallet and backpack.
Ballard, stationed at Futenma Air Station, denied the allegations as Japanese authorities investigate what Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described as an alleged robbery and murder.
Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Washington, while Japan's Defense Ministry said it was deeply outraged and demanded stricter discipline and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The U.S. Embassy, Ambassador George Glass and the III Marine Expeditionary Force said they were cooperating fully with local authorities as the Marine remains in Japanese custody.
The case is likely to sharpen scrutiny of the U.S. military presence in Okinawa, where most of the 18,000 Marines in Japan are based and past crimes have fueled mass protests.