Okinawa prosecutors indict US Marine on charge of robbery causing death

A U.S. Marine has been formally charged with killing and robbing a Japanese woman at a hotel in Okinawa’s capital, three weeks after his arrest prompted calls for changes to the status of forces agreement governing American military personnel in Japan.

Lanc Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, was indicted Sunday on a charge of robbery causing death in the killing of Anna Yagi, 39, according to a copy of the indictment provided by the Naha Public Prosecutors Office.

The Japanese legal system applies in this case.⁠

Under the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Japan holds primary jurisdiction over offenses by U.S. service members that occur off-base and outside the performance of official duties, especially those involving Japanese nationals or property.

They allege Ballard wrapped a telephone handset cord around Yagi’s neck in the early hours of Oct. 3 “with intent to kill,” strangled her, and stole her backpack containing a wallet and other belongings.

Ballard, who was arrested the next day, has denied the allegations, according to Okinawa Prefectural Police.

If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life imprisonment under Japan’s penal code.

III Marine Expeditionary Force continues to cooperate with the investigation, spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas wrote in an email Sunday.

“We recognize the seriousness of the charges and will continue to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities in their ongoing investigation as the legal process moves forward,” he said, adding that no further updates were available.

Ballard’s arrest has intensified scrutiny of U.S. military conduct on Okinawa, where Gov. Genta Koja and the prefectural assembly have called for a review of the agreement governing U.S. military-connected personnel in Japan.

Lt. Gen. Banjamin Waton, III MEF’s commander, has imposed a monthlong 5 a.m.-to-midnight curfew for U.S. troops on Okinawa through Nov. 8.

Additional restrictions took effect Thursday at Kadena Air Base, where those in pay grades E-1 through E-4 are prohibited from consuming alcohol and must remain on base from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. during that period.

Those measures were ordered by 18th Wing commander Brig. Gen. John Gallemore.

U.S. troops participating in Keen Sword, a large-scale military exercise in and around Japan, also face an alcohol ban and restrictions on off-duty outings, according to a Thursday announcement by the North Kanto Defense Bureau, an arm of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

The biennial training runs through Oct. 29 and involves approximately 56,000 U.S. and Japanese personnel, along with forces from seven partner nations.

Source: stripes.com, Brian McElhiney, Keishi Koja, October 25, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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