A member of the United States Marine Corps was apprehended after a 14-year-old girl, who had gone missing, was located within the barracks at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego. The girl’s family claims that she was subjected to sexual exploitation and assault by the man. The teenager, who has learning disabilities, purportedly fled from her home on June 9, and her grandmother reported her as missing on June 13, as stated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Military police discovered her presence within the barracks on June 28, nearly 20 days after she had disappeared, according to her aunt, Casaundra Perez.
“She was found in the barracks by military police. She had been sold to a soldier for sex.”
The sheriff’s department has confirmed that the teenager was discovered at the Marine base camp, and a spokesperson mentioned that her grandmother had previously reported instances of her running away, though she would typically return home quickly.
The investigation into the matter is being handled by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), with assistance from the sheriff’s department and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
On June 28, a Marine affiliated with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was detained by the NCIS for questioning. This information was provided by Capt. Chuck Palmer of the 1st Marine Logistics Group based at Camp Pendleton.
A photograph of the unidentified Marine, who has yet to face charges, being escorted in handcuffs by Marine Corps police, emerged on social media several days later.
Perez made allegations that the military is attempting to conceal the reported rape of her niece and asserted that the entire base camp bears responsibility for the incident.
“The reality is the whole facility allowed this to happen. The security looked her in the face and allowed this man to bring a minor onto base where he then proceeded to have sex with her. Due to her age, she could not have given this consent.”
Appropriate authorities facilitated her safe return to the care of her grandmother. Efforts were made to ensure a smooth transition and to provide the necessary support and resources for the girl’s well-being and recovery.
