Airman indicted for May assault and robbery

Naha district Public Prosecutors Office has indicted a Kadena airman for a robbery and assault that happened in May on Kokusai Street in the Kumoji district of Naha City.

The Prosecutors Office announced on Jul. 16th that they had indicted 23-year-old Airman First Class Henry Horace Jr. stationed on Kadena Air Base, for the robbery and assault that took place on May 24th.

According to the charges, Horace punched a 21-year-old Japanese man on the face several times, and stole ¥4,000 yen in cash from the victim on May 24th. It’s possible Horace could be tried by the Japanese citizen judge system, a kind of jury.

The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office had earlier dropped charges against a 26-year-old Marine Sergeant from Camp Hansen in the case citing insufficient evidence. The sergeant has denied having had any part in the crime.

The airman was originally suspected of having been an accomplice in the case, and later became the main suspect.

The incident happened at about 5:30 a.m. on May 24th. The victim was beaten and suffered a broken cheekbone, and ¥4,000 in cash was then taken from his wallet.

01:28 29 Mar , 2024