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Source record / NCIS investigation file / Military Sealift Command sexual misconduct

USNS John Lenthall Watchstander Pressing Allegation Was Declined by Federal Prosecutors.

A USNS John Lenthall crewmember told NCIS that another person came up behind her during watch, pressed his groin against her buttocks, rubbed her arms, and whispered to her. The case closed after a federal prosecutor determined the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act did not apply to misdemeanor charges.

Abusive Sexual ContactUSNS John LenthallShipboard MisconductWatchstandingDepartment of Justice DeclinationMilitary Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act

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.

Allegation
Abusive Sexual Contact
Location
USNS John Lenthall
Key date
Reported September 10, 2020
Outcome
Federal prosecution declined over MEJA issue

What the NCIS File Says

A USNS John Lenthall crewmember reported that another person made unwanted sexual contact with her during watch.

She told NCIS the person made a thrusting motion behind her, contacted her buttocks with his groin, rubbed both of her arms, and whispered, "what's the destination baby."

NCIS consulted a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney about the case.

The legal determination recorded in the file was that the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act did not apply to misdemeanor charges.

MSC counsel and a victim advocate were apprised, and NCIS closed the case.

Case Timeline

September 9, 2020

The alleged incident occurred during watch aboard USNS John Lenthall.

September 10, 2020

Military Sealift Command Atlantic notified NCIS.

September 15, 2020

NCIS spoke with the reporting person by phone.

June 10, 2021

NCIS issued the closed report.

Why This Record Matters

  • The file describes specific alleged conduct during watch aboard an MSC oiler.
  • The closure turned on a federal jurisdiction decision rather than a finding that the conduct did not occur.
  • The extracted record references interim reports and exhibits not included in the readable transcript.

NCIS Source Document

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

First page preview for USNS John Lenthall Watchstander Pressing Allegation Was Declined by Federal Prosecutors.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type
NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel
USNS JOHN LENTHALL/21377
NCIS file number
15SEP20-NFNF-00320-8SNA/F
Bates range
0135-0136
Source file length
2 pages
View NCIS Source PDF for Case 15SEP20-NFNF-00320-8SNA/F

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.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. On 10SEP20, NCISRA Norfolk was notified by [REDACTED], Military Sealift Command Atlantic, Norfolk, VA of an alleged abusive sexual contact of [REDACTED], USNS JOHN LENTHALL (T-AO 189), Norfolk, VA. On 15SEP20 Reporting Agent (RA) spoke with [REDACTED] telephonically and she stated, on 09SEP20 during watch [REDACTED], T-AO 189 made a thrusting motion behind her making contact with her buttocks with his groin area and proceeded to rub both of her arms and asking her while whispering in her ear from behind "what's the destination baby". Consult with SAUSA [REDACTED] conducted and the determination was made that Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act does not apply to misdemeanor charges. The US Attorney's office will not prosecute like charges [REDACTED] SAUSA, [REDACTED], Counsel Military Sealift Command Atlantic, and} [REDACTED], Victim Advocate were apprised of the status of this investigation. This investigation is closed

NARRATIVE

1. This reactive investigation pertains to the suspected violation of 18 U.S. Code § 2244 (Abusive Sexual Contact).

2. Following consultation with Special Assistant to the US Attorney (SAUSA) [REDACTED] determination was made that the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act does not apply to misdemeanor charges. This case and like charges would not be prosecuted via the US Attorney's office.

3. [REDACTED] SAUSA, [REDACTED] Counsel, Military Sealift Command Atlantic, and [REDACTED], Victim Advocate were apprised of the status of this investigation.

4. This investigation is closed.