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A Woman Reported Being Groped in a USNS Rainier Passageway. The Civilian Accused Said He Lost His Balance.

After liberty in Fujairah, a woman aboard USNS Rainier said a civilian groped her buttocks in a narrow passageway; the man later apologized but told investigators the contact was accidental. He received a fourteen-day suspension without pay, and the Department of Justice declined prosecution.

Abusive Sexual ContactUSNS RainierCivilian MarinerForeign PortShipboard MisconductDepartment of Justice DeclinationAdministrative Action

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 Rainier, Fujairah

Key date

Alleged August 13, 2013

Outcome

DOJ Declined; Fourteen-Day Suspension

What the NCIS File Says

A woman aboard USNS Rainier reported that a civilian groped her buttocks as she passed him in a narrow passageway after returning from liberty in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

The file says several civilians overheard her discussing the incident and became angry. One civilian left and returned about fifteen minutes later with the accused, who apologized for touching her buttocks.

The accused told investigators he had been drinking, lost his balance while letting her pass in the passageway, and thought he had touched her lower back until someone told him to apologize. Witnesses aboard the ship provided statements.

The accused received a fourteen-day suspension without pay. The Department of Justice declined prosecution, and NCIS closed the case.

Case Timeline

August 13, 2013

The alleged groping occurred aboard USNS Rainier while the ship was ported in Fujairah.

March 12, 2014

The Department of Justice declined prosecution.

March 13, 2014

NCIS apprised the executive officer and closed the investigation.

Why This Record Matters

The file shows a split between workplace discipline and federal prosecution in a shipboard civilian setting.
The accused apologized and received a suspension, but prosecutors declined to pursue the case.
The core factual dispute is intentional groping versus accidental contact in a narrow passageway.

NCIS Source Document

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

First page preview for A Woman Reported Being Groped in a USNS Rainier Passageway. The Civilian Accused Said He Lost His Balance.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type: NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel: MSC CIVMARS WEST SAN DIEGO CA/62383
NCIS file number: 18AUG13-MEBJ-00344-8SNA/C
Bates range: 0167-0168
Source file length: 2 pages

View NCIS Source PDF for Case 18AUG13-MEBJ-00344-8SNA/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.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. This investigation was initiated on 18Aug13, following notification from [REDACTED] HSC-6 Det 1 LCPO, USNS RAINIER, that on 13Aug13, at approximately 2345, while the USNS Rainier was ported in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,[REDACTED] ¢)reported [REDACTED] groped her buttocks as she passed him in a narrow passageway on the ship . [REDACTED] returned to the ship from liberty in Fujairah where she consumed 4-5 vodka and cranberry drinks and a glass of wine during the course of the evening .[REDACTED] maintained she felt like she had consumed alcohol, but she was not intoxicated. Minutes later, (i[REDACTED] ¢)was discussing the incident wi(phs [REDACTED], when several civilians overheard and chimed in expressing anger about what had occurred. [REDACTED] civilian, left the area and returned approximately fifteen minutes later with [REDACTED] apologized tO[REDACTED] touching her buttocks .[REDACTED] ywas provided a Victim Witness Assistance Pamphlet (VWAP) during her interview. [REDACTED] provided a sworn statement indicating he was also returning from liberty in Fujairah where he consumed 4 beers and a shot of alcohol. According to [REDACTED] was walking through a narrow passageway on the ship when he encountered [REDACTED] While allowing(H[REDACTED] pass him, [REDACTED] lost his balance, and accidentally made contact with [REDACTED] buttocks. According to [REDACTED] thought he touched her lower back until , [REDACTED]came to his berthing and told him he needed to apologize to ening her buttocks. [REDACTED] Eollowed [REDACTED] smoke pit and apologized to [REDACTED] Witnesses aboard the USNS RAINIER provided statements [REDACTED] received administrative disciplinary action, fourteen day suspension without pay. On 12Mar14, the United States Department of Justice declined prosecution.

NARRATIVE

1. This reactive investigation is being conducted pursuant to a suspected violation of Title 18 USC 2244 Abusive Sexual Contact punishable under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) .

2. On 12Mar14, contact was made with [REDACTED], Deputy Force Judge Advocate, Navy Forces Central Command OMUSNAVCENT) who reported he was notified by [REDACTED] ‘Deputy Chief, Human Rights and Special Prosecutions, US Department of Justice (USDOJ) that the USDOJ has declined to prosecute in this matter.

3. On 13MAR14, — [REDACTED] y USN, Executive Officer, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six, was apprised that in light of the USDOJ declination, this investigation is closed.