US Air Force Member Charged with Kidnapping, Raping Japanese Schoolgirl

UNSPLASH/Yunus ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Japanese prosecutors have charged a US Air Force member with kidnapping and raping a minor before Christmas last year.

Okinawa police said Brennon R. E. Washington, 25, was charged on March 27 with “non-consensual sexual intercourse” and “indecent kidnapping,” a court spokesman in Naha, the capital of Okinawa, told CNN on Thursday, June 27.

The US military handed the soldier over to Japanese authorities the same day.

The suspect was released on bail and transferred to Kadena US Air Base in Okinawa for detention, according to a government spokesman. His trial is set to begin July 12, according to a Naha District Court spokesman.

A court spokesman told CNN they did not have details about the airman’s legal representation.

The prosecution comes as Washington and Tokyo deepen their military alliance — in part because of rising geopolitical tensions with China and North Korea.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said the rape and kidnapping cases were “extremely regrettable,” stressing that “a strong protest against the U.S. military and related organizations is necessary.”

The governor also said his office would “take a strong stance in dealing with this situation.”

Brennon Washington, the indicted soldier, is assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena Air Base in Japan, according to the US Air Force, which confirmed his rank and service record to CNN.

“The 18th Wing is aware of allegations of sexual assault against a Kadena Airman involving a Japanese national,” 18th Wing spokesman 1st Lt. Alvin G. Nelson III told CNN.

“We understand and share the concerns of the local community regarding this case,” Nelson said.

The Wing leadership is “deeply concerned by the severity of these alleged crimes,” and has been working with local authorities to investigate the allegations.