U.S. Marine Jailed for Molesting Okinawa Girl

A U.S. marine was sentenced to a two-year jail term for molesting a Japanese schoolgirl in a crime which fueled protests against the U.S. military on Japan's southern Okinawa island and cast a cloud over a leaders' summit.

Marine Lance Corporal Kenny K. Titcomb, 19, was found guilty of molesting the 14-year school girl on July 3 after entering her home as she slept, a U.S. military spokeswoman said on Thursday.

``He was sentenced to two years in confinement,'' she said, adding Titcomb would be discharged after serving the sentence.

Titcomb was tried in a U.S. military court rather than a Japanese court to help bring a tougher sentence. Since he is under 20, he could only have been tried as a juvenile by a Japanese court.

Titcomb's crime came just before President Clinton arrived on the tiny island of Okinawa for July's Group of Eight summit of advanced nations and Russia.







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