A An unidentified United States Marine from Camp Pendleton, California, was charged with the sexual assault of a minor.r after being discovered a 14-year-old girl disappeared at the base barracks in Junethe authorities reported.
“Military prosecutors have indicted the Navy on allegations of sexual assault of a minor and violating the restriction of liberty in an unrelated prior case.”said Capt. Charles Palmer, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton.
Palmer pointed out that the command scheduled a preliminary hearing for August 17 at Camp Pendleton.
“After the preliminary hearing, the command will review all the charges and evidence to determine if the case should be tried by court martial,” Palmer said.
“To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and the rights of the subject, no further information is available until this decision is made.“he added. “As a reminder, charges remain indictments, and all service members are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.”
In July, the unidentified soldier had been released after questioning by Naval Criminal Investigative Service detectives following the June 28 discovery of a missing 14-year-old girl at a barracks at Camp Pendleton. The minor had been missing since June 10, according to her family.
The girl’s relatives argued in social media posts that a Marine had sexually assaulted her on the base.reported ABC News.
However, no details on the Marine’s identity were released Friday, but a Marine from Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group based at Camp Pendleton.
Other details, such as when and how he met the girl, how he got to the base and how long he spent in the barracks, are being kept secret.
Palmer also confirmed that The soldier was the man pictured in a video posted to social media showing a handcuffed Marine being escorted by military police out of a barracks on the base.
The minor, who has learning disabilities, had entered numerous missing persons databases when she was found at the baselocated 40 miles north of San Diego.
She ran away from home on June 9, but her grandmother waited another four days to notify the police, as the girl had a history of running away from home.according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
However, this fact was different, because the teen usually returned after a few days, authorities said.
It was turned over to her grandmother, who accused the Navy of sexually abusing the minor while she was on base.
How the missing girl sneaked into the military base is a mystery, as soldiers stop all visitors at the sprawling base’s entrance and must show permission to enter.
The Marines can bring a visitor to the base and barracks up to a set time, which varies by building.
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