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

Lithuania Liberty Groping Report Involving a USNS William R. Button Crewmember Ran Into DOD Authority Limits.

NCIS records say a sailor reported that after returning from liberty in Lithuania, a USNS William R. Button crewmember hugged her over her arms and squeezed her buttocks. The case closed after prosecutors found no venue and the disposition report stated the offender was outside DOD legal authority.

Abusive Sexual ContactUSNS William R. ButtonLithuaniaForeign PortAlcoholOutside DOD Legal Authority

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 William R. Button / Lithuania port visit
Key date
Alleged May 22, 2018
Outcome
Closed; offender outside DOD legal authority

What the NCIS File Says

A sailor from Amphibious Construction Battalion Two reported being groped by a USNS William R. Button crewmember after a liberty outing in Lithuania.

She said the group consumed alcohol, returned to the ship, checked in from liberty, and stood around talking before the alleged contact.

According to the final report, she said the crewmember hugged her over her arms and squeezed her buttocks with both hands. A witness reportedly pulled the person off her, but later told investigators he did not see the alleged assault.

RLSO and the U.S. Attorney's Office were briefed, and the file says no venue for prosecution existed. The accused declined to be interviewed by NCIS.

A Sexual Assault Disposition Report stated the offender was outside DOD legal authority, and NCIS closed the investigation.

Case Timeline

May 22, 2018
Report

The battalion executive officer notified NCIS of an unrestricted abusive sexual contact report.

August 20, 2018
Interim Report

An interim NCIS report containing Exhibits 1-4 was referenced in the final report.

October 26, 2018
Interim Report

A second interim report containing Exhibits 5-6 was referenced.

January 14, 2019
Disposition

NCIS received a Sexual Assault Disposition Report stating the offender was outside DOD legal authority.

January 15, 2019
Closure

NCIS closed the investigation.

Why This Record Matters

  • The file describes a liberty-return allegation with alcohol as a factor.
  • Jurisdiction and the alleged offender's status were central to the closure.
  • The readable transcript is a final report that relies on earlier interim reports and exhibits not included here.

NCIS Source Document

This is the NCIS Report of Investigation for the USNS William R. Button On 22Mayl18 At Approximately 0030 Hours file. MLAA has preserved the source PDF, Bates range, and NCIS file number so readers can inspect the record directly.

First page preview for Lithuania Liberty Groping Report Involving a USNS William R. Button Crewmember Ran Into DOD Authority Limits.

First page of the NCIS case file.

Source type
NCIS investigation file
Command or vessel
PHIBCB TWO/42043
NCIS file number
22MAY18-NFLC-00149-8SNA/C
Bates range
0206-0207
Source file length
2 pages
View NCIS Source PDF for Case 22MAY18-NFLC-00149-8SNA/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 22May18, [REDACTED], USN, Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO, Executive Officer (XO), notified NCIS of an unrestricted report of abusive sexual contact. [REDACTED] provided [REDACTED], Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO, reported she was "groped" by [REDACTED], USNS WILLIAM R. BUTTON on 22Mayl18 at approximately 0030 hours [REDACTED] interviewed and relayed she went out with a group of USN personnel from the ship while in port in Lithuania. While out, the group consumed alcoholic beverages [REDACTED] group ran into [REDACTED] who was also with a group of individuals from the ship [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] socialized and consumed alcohol during the night. Upon return to the ship, [REDACTED] and the others checked in from liberty and stood around talking [REDACTED] indicated she and [REDACTED] were talking when [REDACTED] hugged her [REDACTED] described [REDACTED] hugged her over her arms and then reached around and squeezed her buttocks with his hands while hugging her [REDACTED] noted [REDACTED] witnessed the encounter and pulled [REDACTED] off of her, [REDACTED] was interviewed and stated he did not witness the alleged assault, but did see [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] hug. Alcohol is a factor in this investigation. This case was briefed with the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) and the United States Attorney Office, and no venue for prosecution exists. This investigation will be conducted to provide information to the command for administrative action. Multiple attempts were made to contact the USNS BUTTON while underway to coordinate investigation actions, however, these attempts were met with negative results. A copy of statements from [REDACTED] and other witnesses were provided by the USNS BUTTON [REDACTED] declined to be interviewed by NCIS. On 14Jan19, the Sexual Assault Disposition Report (SADR) was received, which stated the offender is outside DoD's Legal Authority. This investigation is complete and closed.

NARRATIVE

1. This reactive investigation pertains to a suspected violation of Article 120 (Abusive Sexual Contact) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) .

2. References (A) thru document all investigative activity to date.

3. On 14Jan19, the Sexual Assault Disposition Report (SADR) was received, which stated the offender is outside DoD's Legal Authority, Exhibit (10) pertains.

4. On 15Jan19 [REDACTED] Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), Rota, Spain, were updated on the status of this investigation.

5. This investigation is complete and closed. EURT: Please provide a copy of this report to , [REDACTED] UAGC USN, DSJA, Naval Station Rota, Spain.