Camp Pendleton officials have released the criminal complaint listing sexual assault charges filed against a Marine after a missing 14-year-old girl was found in the barracks in late June.
The Marine, whose name has not been released, is charged with three counts of sexual assault and two charges of violating liberty restrictions, according to the document released Tuesday. It indicates the alleged crimes or violations happened June 27, the day before the East County girl was found.
The Marine is with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, according to 1st Marine Logistics Group spokesperson Capt. Charles Palmer.
Few details of the case have been released, but may be revealed during a preliminary hearing, scheduled for Thursday at Camp Pendleton.
The story of the discovery of the missing girl went viral in early July after the girl’s aunt posted a TikTok video alleging the girl had been trafficked.
On June 28, military police at Camp Pendleton found the girl in a barracks. The military notified the county Sheriff’s Department, and the girl was reunited with her family.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the grandmother said the teen ran away from home June 9. She had run away on previous occasions, but quickly returned. When the teen was still unaccounted for on June 13, the grandmother reported her missing.
After the girl was found in the barracks, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service questioned the Marine, then released him to his command pending charges.
The criminal complaint was filed Aug. 4.
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