US Marine Arrested in Japan on Suspicion of Murder, Robbery
A 20-year-old Marine stationed in Okinawa is accused of killing a local woman and stealing her belongings.
A U.S. Marine has been arrested in Okinawa, Japan, on suspicion of robbing and murdering a local woman at a hotel. Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballad, 20, who is assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was taken into custody on Sunday.
Ballad is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, early Saturday at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Naha, Okinawa. Security footage reportedly shows Ballad entering the hotel with Yagi but leaving alone later. A hotel employee discovered Yagi unconscious in the room after the pair failed to check out on time.
Authorities allege that Ballad stole Yagi’s wallet and backpack and committed the murder between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. on Saturday. Police apprehended Ballad while he was walking in an Okinawa city nightlife district.
Ballad denies the allegations. Police expect to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours of his arrest.
The U.S. Marine Corps is cooperating with Japanese authorities. "We are actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force," stated 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas, a spokesman for the Marine Corps, in an email to Stars and Stripes. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo also confirmed awareness of the situation and pledged cooperation with Japanese officials.
