U.S. Marine arrested in Japan on suspicion of murder

NAHA, OKINAWA PREFECTURE, Japan (NBC, KYMA) - A United States Marine is being held in custody in Japan on suspicion of murder.

Local police say 20-year-old Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, who is stationed in Okinawa brought a woman to a hotel before killing her and taking her wallet and backpack.

Japan's Ministry of Defense said it was quote deeply outraged by the extremely brutal and heinous crime.

Ballard has denied the allegations and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, says his office is cooperating with the Japanese government in the ongoing investigation.