US Marine Charged With Robbery and Murder of Woman in Okinawa

Oct 26, 2026 | News On Japan

NAHA - A 20-year-old US Marine stationed in Okinawa was indicted on October 25 on charges of robbery and murder after allegedly strangling a woman to death at a hotel in Naha and stealing her backpack containing a wallet and other belongings.

The defendant, Devin Ballard, is accused of killing the woman at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on October 3 by tightening a telephone receiver cord around her neck, causing her to suffocate, according to the indictment and other documents.

Prosecutors allege that Ballard then stole a backpack containing the victim's wallet and other personal belongings.

Ballard initially denied the allegations when he was arrested, telling investigators, "I don't know anything about it."

However, police said he subsequently made statements during questioning that appeared to suggest partial involvement in the crime.

Investigators have also established that Ballard returned to a US military base following the alleged killing.

The case has now moved to prosecution following the formal indictment on robbery-murder charges.

Source: TBS

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