U.S. Marine Sentenced to 7 Years in Japanese Prison for Strangling, Assaulting Woman in Okinawa

A Japanese Court sketch of the US Marine in court

A U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Japanese court after being convicted of strangling and sexually assaulting a local woman, intensifying long-standing tensions surrounding American military presence in the region.

Lance Corporal Jamel Clayton, 22, was found guilty of attacking a woman in her 20s in May 2024. He was accused of choking her while attempting to rape her, though he denied the allegations, claiming he neither used force nor acted with sexual intent.

The Naha District Court rejected Clayton’s defense and upheld the prosecution’s case, which described the attack as dangerous, malicious, and life-threatening. Presiding Judge Kazuhiko Obata stated that the victim’s testimony was “highly credible,” noting its “specificity and authenticity that would not be possible without her actual experience.” The court also acknowledged the severe mental trauma the woman continues to endure from the incident.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence, while Clayton’s legal team argued for an acquittal, claiming inconsistencies in the woman’s account. However, the court ruled in favor of the prosecution, sentencing the Marine to seven years behind bars.

Judicial members, including Judge Kazuhiko Obata, center back, for the sexual assault case of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, at the Naha District Court in Okinawa. - Kyodo News/AP

The woman promptly reported the attack to a friend and law enforcement, which played a critical role in advancing the investigation.

The 3rd Marine Division confirmed Clayton’s conviction in a statement, with spokesperson Capt. Kazuma Engelkemier stating, “This behavior does not reflect the values of the Marine Corps nor does it exemplify the standards the overwhelming majority of our Marines uphold daily.” He also emphasized that the Marine Corps cooperated fully with Japanese authorities and monitored the trial proceedings without interfering.

Clayton’s case is the latest in a series of criminal incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, where public resentment against the U.S. presence remains high. The region hosts 32 U.S. military facilities, including some of the largest overseas bases, and has been the epicenter of protests for decades.

Notably, in December, a 25-year-old U.S. serviceman was sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping and raping an underage girl. In 1995, three U.S. servicemen raped a 12-year-old Okinawan girl, prompting widespread protests and international outrage. A 2016 case involving the rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman by a former U.S. base worker also triggered mass demonstrations, leading to curfews and stricter regulations for American personnel.

In response to continued tensions, U.S. Forces Japan and the Japanese government announced in April the formation of a joint forum to improve cooperation in Okinawa. Updates to the 2016 “Okinawa Orientation Overview” for U.S. personnel are underway, along with plans for increased joint patrols outside of Okinawa.

A recent Pentagon report indicated a 4% decrease in reported sexual assault cases involving U.S. servicemembers in 2024, with 8,195 cases compared to 8,515 the previous year. However, senior defense officials acknowledged that the overall numbers remain alarmingly high.