Camp Lejeune Marine faces child rape charge

JACKSONVILLE, NC (AP) — A Camp Lejeune Marine has been arrested and accused of raping a pre-teen girl.

Lt. Col. Cliff W. Gilmore said in a statement Monday that 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Robert J. Myers of Union City, IN, is being held by civilian authorities in Jacksonville.

Police accuse Myers of attacking the same 12-year-old girl repeatedly between May 1 and Aug. 22.

Myers faces more than two dozen counts, including first-degree rape of a child, first-degree rape, second-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, second-degree sexual offense, sexual offense with a child, sexual battery, indecent liberties with a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

It was not clear if he has an attorney.

Myers is a field radio operator who joined the Marines in 2013 and was promoted in August 2014.

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