U.S. Marine Indicted in Okinawa for Murder and Robbery

Japanese prosecutors have formally charged Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, a Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, with robbery and murder after a woman was killed in a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, earlier this month. The indictment, announced by public broadcaster NHK, says the suspect allegedly strangled the victim with a telephone cord and stole a backpack containing a wallet, according to the Naha District Public Prosecutors’ Office. Ballard has denied the allegations. The III Marine Expeditionary Force said it is aware of the indictment and will cooperate with Japanese authorities.

"We recognize the seriousness of the charges and will continue to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities in their ongoing investigation as the legal process moves forward," the force said.