What the NCIS File Says
NCIS opened this investigation after the assistant security officer aboard USNS Mercy reported that a command investigation had identified possible inappropriate touching. The command listed in the final report was USS William P. Lawrence, but the alleged incident occurred in USNS Mercy's 01-level gym.
The alleged victim said she was doing pull-ups around 2200 in late April or early May 2018. While she rested in the down position on her fourth pull-up, the accused grabbed her feet and said he would assist her. She said her feet were already crossed and partly pointed backward, and he pulled them farther back while helping with the last two pull-ups.
She reported that, when she came down from the first assisted pull-up, the tops of her toes went across the accused person's groin. She said she tried to reposition her feet during the next pull-up but they still partially crossed his groin, and that he did not say anything to her when it happened.
NCIS interviewed the alleged victim, the accused, and USNS Mercy personnel. The accused denied culpability. Investigators collected fingerprints but did not submit them to the FBI, did not collect DNA, and reported lack of probable cause. Based on RLSO Hawaii's recommendation, command decided against prosecution.
Case Timeline
The pull-up assistance incident occurred in the USNS Mercy gym.
USNS Mercy's assistant security officer notified NCIS after a command investigation.
NCIS interviewed the alleged victim and accused; the accused denied culpability.
DESRON 31 issued a military protective order.
Command declined prosecution and NCIS obtained the SADR.
Why This Record Matters
- The case came from a command investigation rather than a detailed report of overt sexual touching.
- NCIS recorded a lack of probable cause, which shaped the decision not to submit fingerprints or collect DNA.
- The ship/location and command fields are split between USNS Mercy and USS William P. Lawrence, so the page should be careful about attribution.
