US Marine charged with robbery and murder of woman in Okinawa hotel

A 20-year-old US Marine has been indicted on robbery and murder charges after a 39-year-old woman was found strangled in a Naha hotel room on 3 October.

US Marine faces murder charge over Okinawa hotel death

Nippon.com reports that public prosecutors in Okinawa Prefecture have indicted Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on charges of robbery and murder following the death of a 39-year-old woman earlier this month.

According to the indictment, Ballard allegedly strangled the woman with a telephone cord inside a hotel room in Naha, the prefectural capital, at some point between 2:10 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. on 3 October. He is also accused of taking a backpack containing the woman's wallet and other belongings.

Investigative sources said the woman had checked into the hotel with a man at around 2:10 a.m. but had not left by checkout time. A hotel employee entered the room at approximately 4:15 a.m. and discovered her body.

Security camera footage reportedly showed a man leaving the hotel carrying a backpack. The man had tattoos on both arms consistent with those of Ballard. The backpack was subsequently found near the hotel.

Ballard is stationed at the Marine Corps' Futenma air base in the city of Ginowan, Okinawa. The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office has not disclosed whether he has admitted to the charges.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)