The transcript below reproduces the substantive report text from the NCIS file in readable form, including the executive summary when one appears in the source. Paragraph numbers come from the original report. Redactions are shown as [REDACTED]. Because the text was generated from OCR, verify exact quotations against the source PDF.
NARRATIVE
1. This reactive investigation pertains to a suspected violation of 18 USC 2244 (Abusive Sexual Contact).
2. On 31Jul19, NCISRA Singapore was notified by [REDACTED] Counsel, Military Sealift Command Far East (MSCFE), of a reported sexual assault of a Civilian mariner by a foreign national shipyard worker aboard the USNS PECOS (T-AO-197). In accordance with NCIS policy, 24 hour SVIP notification was made on 31Jul19 to [REDACTED] Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Singapore Area Coordinator and 48 hour coordination was also conducted on 31Jul19. A military protective order is not applicable. Alcohol was not a factor [REDACTED] provided a Victim Witness Assistance Pamphlet (VWAP) and did not request a Victim's Legal Counsel (VLC) or a Victim Advocate (VA).
3. On 01Aug19, Special Agent (SA) [REDACTED] with [REDACTED], USNS PECOS, to discuss the alleged sexual assault of [REDACTED] provided signed statements given by himself [REDACTED] other civilian mariners assigned to the USNS PECOS regarding the incident. Exhibit (1) pertains. Also on 01Aug19, SA [REDACTED] with [REDACTED] explained on an unidentified, possibly Indian shipyard worker, whom he encountered while working aboard the USNS PECOS, hugged [REDACTED] 29Jul19 grabbed [REDACTED] buttock over his clothes [REDACTED] stated there were at least 350 local workers on or around the ship that day and he would be unable to identify the man who touched his buttock [REDACTED] stated he did not desire to report the incident to Singaporean law enforcement and did not want to participate in an NCIS investigation. Exhibit (2) pertains. On 01Aug19 SA [REDACTED] completed database checks on [REDACTED]. No derogatory information was discovered. Exhibit (3) pertains. Due to the nature of the allegation, a SAFE exam was not conducted. Exhibit (4) pertains. Similarly, due to the nature of the allegation, [REDACTED] cell phone was not reviewed. Exhibit (5) pertains. On 06Aug19, social media checks were conducted for [REDACTED] Exhibit pertains. Also on 06Aug19, limited personnel records for [REDACTED] were reviewed. Exhibit pertains.
4. On 06Aug19, Reporting Agent (RA) and SA [REDACTED] with [REDACTED] stated he had changed his mind and decided to participate in the NCIS investigation because he had been victimized his whole life and was tired of it. Exhibit (8) pertains. [REDACTED] directed RA and SA [REDACTED] the location on the ship where the incident occurred. RA and SA [REDACTED] documented the scene with photographs and a sketch. Exhibit (9) pertains. Also on 06Aug19, RA contacted [REDACTED] discuss her recommendations pertaining to [REDACTED] stated she had referred [REDACTED] SARC, MSC, Norfolk, VA. Exhibit (10) pertains.
5. On 08Aug19, RA and SA [REDACTED] conducted an interview of [REDACTED] reported on 29Jul19, at approximately 1300, he was having a conversation with a group of approximately eight shipyard workers on the bow of the USNS PECOS. One of the workers, who was possibly Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani, approached [REDACTED] said, "I like you." To be polite [REDACTED] replied that he liked the man also. The unknown man proceeded to give [REDACTED], and slid his hand down to [REDACTED] buttocks, which he grabbed, twice, over his clothing. [REDACTED] stated he was not interested in having the offender in this case prosecuted [REDACTED] explained he simply wanted someone to tell the man his behavior was not appropriate [REDACTED] reported he had been sexually abused or assaulted numerous other times in his life. One incident detailed by [REDACTED] occurred when he was in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1976 [REDACTED] explained he was going through USMC recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina when one of the drill instructors sexually assaulted him in the woods after training [REDACTED] stated he did not tell anyone about the assault and did not recall the name of the drill instructor. Exhibit (11) pertains.
6. On 12Aug19, RA interviewed [REDACTED] Able Bodied Seaman (AB), CIV, USNS PECOS, regarding her knowledge of a sexual assault perpetrated against [REDACTED] 29Jul19 [REDACTED] recalled on 31Jul19, [REDACTED] told 6 [REDACTED] foreign yard worker "grabbed his backside [REDACTED] encouraged [REDACTED] to report the incident. Exhibit (12) pertains.
7. On 14Aug19, RA and SA [REDACTED] with USNS PECOS [REDACTED] reported for duty onboard the USNS PECOS on 06Aug19, following the departure of the previous [REDACTED] and SA [REDACTED] discussed [REDACTED], knowledge of USNS ship access procedures pertaining to foreign national shipyard workers [REDACTED] explained on 29Jul19, the day of the alleged assault, the USNS PECOS was at Sembawang shipyard in dry dock for repairs [REDACTED] reported to his knowledge, there were at least 250 foreign national shipyard workers on board that day. While at the shipyard, Sembcorp contracted security guards would have "badged in" the group of workers bound for the USNS PECOS as the workers approached the gangway [REDACTED] noted USNS PECOS personnel did not independently document the identities of the workers who were on board that day. Exhibit (13) pertains.
8. On 19Aug19, Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) [REDACTED] with [REDACTED] JAGC, USN Staff Judge Advocate, Singapore Area Coordinator (SAC) to discuss the alleged 1976 assault described by [REDACTED] explained an accused is generally subject to the statute of limitations in force at the time the offense is committed, which in this case, would be the 1969 edition of the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM). The statute of limitation at the time stated with the exception of desertion or absence without leave in time of war, aiding the enemy, mutiny, or murder, the statute of limitations on offenses was two years. Additionally, [REDACTED] noted in the 1969 MCM, the definition of rape was, "Rape is the commission of an act of sexual intercourse by a person with a female not his wife, by force and without her consent." This offense in this case would therefore fall under the offense of Sodomy. After conferring with the Regional Legal Services Office (RLSO) in Japan [REDACTED] related with the facts available, it appeared the statute of limitations had run in this case. Additionally, the lack of identifying information [REDACTED] able to recall would preclude a full investigation into the matter.
9. On 22Aug19, RA contacted [REDACTED] Sembcorp Security Manager, to request a list of shipyard workers who were assigned to work on board the USNS PECOS on 29Jul19 [REDACTED] subsequently related he had sought shipyard management approval to release such a list to RA, but the request was denied [REDACTED] offered to try to identify the worker based on the physical description provided by [REDACTED] his attempts were unsuccessful. Exhibit (14) pertains.
10. On 23Aug19, [REDACTED] Commodore, Commanding Officer, MSCFE were briefed on the results of this investigation.
11. As all attempts to identify the perpetrator were unsuccessful and [REDACTED] interested in pursuing the matter further with Singaporean law enforcement, this investigation is closed.
