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A Merchant Marine Midshipman Said a USNS Richard E. Byrd Navigator Touched Him Repeatedly on the Bridge. Prosecutors Declined the Case.

NCIS records say a Merchant Marine midshipman reported repeated unwanted touching by a retired Navy navigator aboard USNS Richard E. Byrd, including contact with his buttocks, face, thigh near the groin, and underarm while working on the bridge. The accused denied contact, prosecutors declined criminal charges, and the file says Military Sealift Command had not yet decided whether to take administrative action.

Abusive Sexual ContactUSNS Richard E. ByrdMerchant Marine MidshipmanBridgeMEJAProsecution DeclinedAdministrative Action Unclear

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 / Sexual Assault

Location

USNS Richard E. Byrd / navigation bridge

Key date

Reported August 20, 2019

Outcome

MEJA attorney declined prosecution

What the NCIS File Says

A Merchant Marine midshipman aboard USNS Richard E. Byrd reported several unwanted contacts by a retired Navy navigator while working near the main chart table on the bridge.

He said the navigator slid a hand across his buttocks over clothing, grazed his face, placed a hand on his thigh and slid it toward his groin, and cupped his underarm to move him.

In the first incident, the midshipman said the navigator's wrist caught on a flashlight in his back pocket and the navigator said, "I'm not molesting you."

The midshipman said he repeatedly told the navigator not to touch him. The navigator denied any contact and denied ever being told to stop.

NCIS documented the bridge, provided victim/witness and legal-counsel information, and closed the case after a MEJA attorney declined criminal prosecution. The file says MSC had not yet determined administrative action.

Case Timeline

July 22-26, 2019

The midshipman described multiple bridge-touching incidents.

July 30, 2019

The midshipman described an additional contact and reported the matter to chain of command.

August 20, 2019

NCIS Resident Agency Sasebo met with the midshipman.

August 21, 2019

NCIS interviewed the accused and documented the scene.

January 9, 2020

A MEJA attorney declined criminal prosecution and NCIS closed the case.

Why This Record Matters

The case shows a maritime-training or midshipman vulnerability in a bridge workplace.
The file records a prosecution declination despite a detailed account of repeated unwanted touch.
The extracted record does not show whether MSC later took administrative action.

NCIS Source Document

This is the NCIS Report of Investigation for the USNS Richard E Byrd 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 Merchant Marine Midshipman Said a USNS Richard E. Byrd Navigator Touched Him Repeatedly on the Bridge. Prosecutors Declined the Case.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type: NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel: USNS RICHARD E BYRD (T-AKE 4) /23194
NCIS file number: 20AUG19-FESS-00165-8SNA/C
Bates range: 0186-0187
Source file length: 2 pages

View NCIS Source PDF for Case 20AUG19-FESS-00165-8SNA/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. On 20Aug19, NCISRA Sasebo met with) [REDACTED], Merchant Marine Midshipman [REDACTED] recalled several instances, while underway aboard USNS Richard E Byrd (T-AKE 4), wherein [REDACTED], Navigator, USN Retired [REDACTED] made unwanted contact and advances toward him [REDACTED] stated the incidents occurred 22-26Ju119, between 0800-1200, while working on the bridge of the ship at the main chart table. He first recalled that while standing behind the main chart table with [REDACTED] walked behind him and slid his left hand, palm side, on his buttocks from left to right over the clothes [REDACTED] noted [REDACTED] wrist got caught on his (he, End) flashlight in his back pocket and he held his hand there and said "T'm not molesting you [REDACTED] stepped away and toldy)6) [REDACTED] touch him [REDACTED] stated that a few days later, (i[REDACTED] ygrazed his face cheekbone and told him there was something on his face [REDACTED] moved away and told(y[REDACTED] ynot to touch him. A few days later [REDACTED] stated(h[REDACTED] his hand on texe fexency thigh and slid it towards his groin [REDACTED] moved away and told(y[REDACTED] ynot to touch him again. On 30Ju119, between 1200 and 1600 [REDACTED] Said(y[REDACTED] cupped his hand on [REDACTED] underarm to lead him away from the chart table to the radio in the bridge and [REDACTED] told him not to touch him again. At this time [REDACTED] informed his chain of command of the related incidents. On 21Aug19,[REDACTED] jwas interviewed and denied any contact with [REDACTED] also denied ever being told by [REDACTED] stop touching him. There are no direct witnesses to the incidents.

2. No Sexual Assault Forensic Exam was conducted. A crime scene documentation was completed on 21Aug19. No alcohol or drugs are involved in this incident. On 21Aug19 [REDACTED] provided with VWAP and VLC information. Active investigation complete. MEJA provided a declination for criminal prosecution. This case is closed.

NARRATIVE

1. This reactive investigation pertains to suspected violation of UCMJ Article 120 (Abusive sexual contact) and/or violation of 18 USC 2244 (Abusive Sexual Contact). References (A) - pertain to investigative activity to date.

2. On 09Jan20, [REDACTED] USFJ, MEJA Attorney, provided this investigation was declined for any criminal prosecution.

3. Previously on 19Dec19, [REDACTED] SJA, provided their command, MSC, will not provide a Sexual Assault Disposition Report (SADR) for this investigation [REDACTED] added command had not yet determined if administrative action would be taken against [REDACTED]

4. On 09Jan20 [REDACTED] notified of the closure of this investigation.

5. No R-84 is required for this case as(h[REDACTED]fEingerprints, mug shots, and CODIS were not collected or submitted.

6. This case is closed. If a SADR is provided later, a ROI (SUPP) will be utilized for documentation.