Military prosecutors have charged a Marine with the sexual assault of a minor at Camp Pendleton, according to officials. The charges stem from an incident where a 14-year-old girl was found in the barracks of the military base in June, more than two weeks after she went missing from her home in Spring Valley.
The identity of the Marine has not been disclosed, and camp officials have declined to release further details regarding the charges. However, it has been confirmed that the Marine also faces an unrelated charge of violating liberty restriction, indicating a failure to comply with regulations regarding time off or restrictions on movement.
The girl’s relatives have expressed their concerns, alleging that she may have been sold to the Marine for the purpose of sexual exploitation. They have also criticized the handling of the case by military officials, accusing them of attempting to cover up the incident.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 17 to further investigate the charges. The Marine’s identity will only be made public if the case proceeds to a court-martial after the hearing.
Casaundra Perez, the girl’s aunt, has called for accountability and transparency in the case. She stated that her family would not accept a plea deal from the Marine unless it involves a maximum sentence, dishonorable discharge, and registration as a sex offender. Perez also emphasized the importance of addressing the alleged mishandling of the case by military authorities, calling for full transparency, accountability, and justice.
In a previous interview, Perez disclosed that military police had questioned her underage niece without a guardian present and before notifying her legal guardian about her discovery. She vehemently denied allegations that her niece was involved in a romantic relationship with the Marine, stating that the girl doesn’t even know his name.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the family of the victim and the public await further updates and hope that justice will be served.
