Okinawa police call for Kadena soldier to be charged with rape of Filipina

[unhappycamper]

Okinawa police call for Kadena soldier to be charged with rape of Filipina
By David Allen and Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, April 27, 2008

NAHA, Okinawa — Okinawa police recommended Friday that a soldier assigned to the Patriot missile battery on Kadena Air Base be charged with rape involving an injury.

An Okinawa police spokesman identified the soldier as Sgt. Ronald Edward Hopstock Jr., 25, attached to the 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Hopstock is accused of raping a 21-year-old Philippine woman in an Okinawa City hotel Feb. 18.

Army officials could not be reached for comment as of late Friday.

Previously, however, they have confirmed that a soldier was being held at the brig on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, in connection with the case. Under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, the soldier can remain in military custody until an indictment is filed in a Japanese court.

A police spokesman Friday said no request for Hopstock’s custody has been made to military authorities.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54345