A former sailor was arrested this week and charged for a sexual assault he allegedly committed while stationed in Japan 15 years ago, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
A two-count indictment dated June 13 charges Travis Lamont Murray, 36, with aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse.
The Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, resident was arrested and pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance on the same day. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending a June 25 detention hearing, according to legal filings.
His court-appointed attorney, Celia Clary Rhoads, did not return a message seeking comment this week.
Murray’s indictment claims that he forced a woman — identified only by her initials “A.T.” — into a sexual act in Yokosuka City on or about May 25, 2004.
After pushing the unnamed woman to the ground and choking her, he threatened to put her “to sleep,” the indictment alleges.
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The Navy discharged Murray two years later, according to the indictment.
He was nabbed after his DNA was entered into the FBI’s registry during an unrelated 2018 investigation by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to the Department of Justice.
Investigators found it to be consistent with a DNA profile obtained after the woman’s alleged sexual assault, federal authorities say.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
