3 U.S. Soldiers Charged With Raping Girl

Three U.S. service men were charged today with abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl, clearing the way for their delivery to Japanese authorities as protesters nationwide have vehemently demanded.

The rape has caused a major uproar on Okinawa, one of the United States’ most important military outposts in the Pacific, and generated a nationwide debate over whether Japan should revise the terms under which 45,000 U.S. troops are stationed in this country.

Charged today were Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Griffin, Ga.; Pfc. Kendrick M. Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga., and Navy Seaman Marcus D. Gill, 22, of Woodville, Tex.

After the charges were filed, the three were taken to the court from a military brig where they have been in custody since Sept. 6. After going before a judge later in the day, they were expected to be handed over to the Japanese government.

If convicted of rape, they would face maximum sentences of two years in a Japanese prison.

Authorities believe that the three abducted the girl Sept. 4 near her home, threw her into the back of a rented van and bound her with electrical tape. They drove her to a beach, where they raped her, police say.

Hoping to soothe Okinawan anger, U.S. Ambassador Walter F. Mondale, Defense Secretary William J. Perry and President Clinton have offered apologies and vowed to prevent more such violence.