U.S. Marine arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of murder and robbery
A 20-year-old U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa has been detained by Japanese police on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman at a hotel and stealing her belongings.
Japanese authorities have arrested Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, on suspicion of murdering 39-year-old Anna Yagi at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Okinawa early Saturday. Security footage reportedly shows Ballard entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone later, after which hotel staff found Yagi unconscious in the room. Police say the alleged crime occurred between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m., and that Ballard took Yagi’s wallet and backpack.
Ballard was identified walking in a nightlife district of Okinawa and taken into custody on Sunday. He remains in detention while investigators prepare to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours. The Marine denies the allegations.
The U.S. Marine Corps said it is "actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force." U.S. Ambassador George Glass indicated he had spoken with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pledged "full cooperation as the investigation continues." The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo confirmed awareness of the custody and said it is communicating and cooperating with Japanese officials while the investigation proceeds.