What the NCIS File Says
NCIS opened the case after a woman aboard USNS Spica reported that an MSC crew member raped her while the ship was berthed at the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The woman said she had been drinking at the port's seaman's center before returning to the ship and speaking with the accused outside his living quarters. According to the report, he grabbed her, pulled her into his room, removed her clothing, and penetrated her. She said intoxication and shock kept her from physically resisting, but that she told him to stop.
The file says the accused was later transferred to Military Sealift Command Norfolk. He contacted NCIS and requested to make a statement, but after Article 31(b) rights advisement, he requested an attorney and the interview was terminated.
NCIS treated the case as a suspected aggravated sexual abuse offense under federal law. A Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was briefed and declined prosecution, citing lack of evidence and witness problems. The available NCIS file does not explain those witness problems. NCIS briefed USNS Spica command and closed the investigation.
Case Timeline
The woman said she was raped in the accused's room aboard USNS Spica while the ship was berthed in Fujairah.
NCIS initiated the investigation after receiving the report.
The accused contacted NCIS, was advised of rights, requested an attorney, and the interview ended.
NCIS briefed a Special Assistant United States Attorney.
Federal prosecutors declined due to lack of evidence and witness problems.
Why This Record Matters
- The final report references earlier interim reports with many exhibits that are not included in the transcript.
- The case was reviewed federally because of the overseas shipboard setting.
- The closure reflects prosecutorial evidence concerns, not a public factual finding that the alleged assault did not occur.
