USNS Millinocket Solomon Islands NCIS File

At a Solomon Islands Bar, a USNS Millinocket Mission Member Said a Tonga National Grabbed Her Breast. No Charges Followed.

During Pacific Partnership 2015, a USNS Millinocket mission member told NCIS that an intoxicated Tonga national grabbed her breast at the RAMSI compound bar after repeated unwanted advances. RAMSI personnel said an offensive act occurred, but the man left the mission early, the reporting person declined an Australian Federal Police complaint, and no further command action was taken.

Sexual AssaultUSNS MillinocketPacific PartnershipSolomon IslandsRAMSIForeign NationalAustralian Federal PoliceNo Charges

This page summarizes one Naval Criminal Investigative Service case file. The source PDF and optical character recognition transcript appear below so readers can compare the summary against the record.

What the NCIS File Says

During Pacific Partnership 2015, a USNS Millinocket mission member reported that an intoxicated Tonga national at the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands compound bar repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation, then grabbed her left breast without consent while her back was turned. She said she pulled his hand away, pushed him back, and RAMSI personnel later spoke to him.

The mission setting mattered. USNS Millinocket personnel were anchored off the Solomon Islands for medical training and support work, and personnel were billeted at the RAMSI compound. RAMSI leadership told NCIS there was no witness corroboration but sufficient evidence that an offensive act occurred. The man reportedly did not recall the incident, expressed remorse for embarrassing the Pacific Partnership mission, and left early to return to Tonga.

The reporting person told Australian Federal Police she did not want to proceed with a criminal complaint. NCIS provided victim-witness information, briefed the ship's Staff Judge Advocate / SAPR / victim advocate, and closed the case with no further command prosecutorial or administrative action recorded.

Case Timeline

July 24, 2015

The alleged breast grabbing occurred at the RAMSI compound bar.

July 25, 2015

USNS Millinocket Staff Judge Advocate reported the incident to NCIS Resident Agency Manila.

August 4, 2015

The alleged offender departed RAMSI and returned to Tonga.

August 6, 2015

NCIS interviewed the reporting person while USNS Millinocket was pierside in the Philippines.

August 19, 2015

NCIS closed the investigation.

Why This Record Matters

The file shows a foreign-partner mission setting, not a simple shipboard chain-of-command case.

The alleged offender was a foreign national who left the mission early and returned to Tonga.

The reporting person's decision not to proceed with Australian Federal Police, plus unclear U.S. criminal jurisdiction, shaped the closure.

NCIS Source Document

This is the NCIS Report of Investigation for the USNS Millinocket file. MLAA has preserved the source PDF, Bates range, and NCIS file number so readers can inspect the record directly.

First page preview for At a Solomon Islands Bar, a USNS Millinocket Mission Member Said a Tonga National Grabbed Her Breast. No Charges Followed.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type: NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel: USNS MILLINOCKET (T-JHSV-3) /29786
NCIS file number: 13AUG15-SNMQ-00111-8SMA/C
Bates range: 0102-0103
Source file length: 3 pages

View NCIS Source PDF for Case 13AUG15-SNMQ-00111-8SMA/C

Readable OCR Transcript

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 case was initiated to provide details and disposition to Special Agent in Charge [REDACTED].S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, Schofield Barracks, HI. Currently no criminal statutes apply.

2. On 25Jull5, [REDACTED], Staff Judge Advocate, USNS MILLINOCKET (T-JHSV-3) reported the captioned incident to Naval Criminal Investigative Service Resident Agency (NCISRA) Manila, Republic of the Philippines (RP). Due to the geographical location of USNS MILLINOCKET at the time of reporting, NCISRA Manila determined it will be best to await USNS MILLINOCKET'S port visit at San Fernando, La Union, RP on 04Aug15. For background purposes, USNS MILLINOCKET was part of the Pacific Partnership (PP) 2015 Exercise under Taskforce Forager. At the time of the incident, [REDACTED] responsible for medical treatment to USNS MILLINOCKET personnel and training host nation medical teams. Between 11Ju115 and 24Jul15, the USNS MILLINOCKET was anchored off the shore of Solomon Islands (NFI) for exercises and training of local physicians. During the aforementioned exercises, the USNS MILLINOCKET personnel were billeted at the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) compound (NFI). RAMSI is an Australian led force assisting in stabilizing unrest in the Solomon Islands.

3. On 06Aug15, while USNS MILLINOCKET was pier side in San Fernando, La Union, RP, Reporting Agent (RA) and Participating Investigator (PIh)6 [REDACTED]interviewed [REDACTED] regarding the captioned investigation. According to [REDACTED] 24Ju115, USNS MILLINOCKET personnel packed all their equipment and personal belongings in preparation for their departure that same day. [REDACTED] Stated, on the night of 24Jul15, after completion of the aforementioned pack out, [REDACTED] consumed alcohol at the RAMSI bar. While at the bar[REDACTED] QUNFI), a Tonga national, repeatedly attempted to engage in a conversation with [REDACTED] repetitively disregarded)ie) cadvances. [REDACTED] indicated James was intoxicated and smelled alcohol on his breath. Finally, while [REDACTED] back turned om)e6), [REDACTED] grabbed [REDACTED] left breast without her consent [REDACTED] immediately pulled [REDACTED] chand and pushed [REDACTED] (o\ (away from her. Shortly thereafter, other RAMSI personnel spoke to [REDACTED] and he eventually left the bar. Exhibit (1) pertains.

4. According to} [REDACTED] Commander Participating Police Force, RAMSI, although RAMSI does not have corroboration from any witness, he does have sufficient evidence that an offensive act occurred [REDACTED] stated [REDACTED] intoxicated and does not recall the incident during the night in question [REDACTED] mentioned [REDACTED] expressed remorse for embarrassing the PP mission [REDACTED] elected to depart the PP mission early. On 04Aug15, [REDACTED] departed RAMSI and returned to Tonga. No further command prosecutorial/administrative action was taken againsty)[REDACTED]

5. According to [REDACTED] informed the Australian Federal Police (AFP) of her decision not to proceed with a criminal complaint against [REDACTED] Subsequently, RA provided [REDACTED] with DD Form 2701, Initial Information for Victims and Witnesses of Crime. RA explained to [REDACTED] y ! her rights as stated on the aforementioned form. Due to the AFP'S primary jurisdiction and geographical location of RAMSI, RA did not document the crime scene.

6. On 06Aug15, RA apprised [REDACTED] Staff Judge Advocate, regarding the status of this investigation. Additionally, [REDACTED] also the Sex Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) coordinator and Victim Advocate. LT [REDACTED] indicated the civilian commanding officer of USNS MILLINOCKET (NFI) was not onboard at the time and could not be briefed.

7. Defense Central Index of Investigations II), ( ), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Knowledge Network (K-NET), and Law Enforcement Defense Data Exchange (DDEX) inquiries relevant to [REDACTED] revealed no derogatory information. Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) inquires disclosed [REDACTED] granted a Secret level security clearance.

8. This investigation is closed.