CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Three Camp Hansen seamen were charged March 4 and a Marine was charged Monday in connection with the Feb. 4 stabbing death of Seaman Adam J. Palecco, Marine officials said Friday.
Seaman Robert L. Person Jr., of Turrell, Ark., was charged with murder, conspiracy, larceny and obstructing justice. Seaman Tiffany Marie Brooks, of Carthage, Miss., and Seaman Audley G. Evans II of Royal Palm, Fla., face the same charges.
Person and Brooks are assigned to the U.S. Naval Dental Center. Evans is assigned to the 3rd Dental Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jesika I. Jenkins, of Duval, Fla., was charged with murder, failing to obey an order or regulation, dereliction of duty, making false official statements, being an accessory after the fact, aiding and abetting, concealing evidence and receiving stolen merchandise. Jenkins is a field radio operator with the Headquarters and Service Battalion.
The four servicemembers are at the Camp Hansen brig awaiting trial. If convicted, each of the accused could face the death penalty.
Palecco, 21, of Hackettstown, N.J., was found shortly after midnight and pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Marine spokesman. An autopsy was conducted at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Camp Lester.
Palecco was due to appear before a court-martial on charges in connection with a November theft of merchandise from the Kadena Air Base Army and Air Force Exchange.
Seaman Darryl R. Trappier, assigned to the Camp Hansen Dental Clinic, was convicted Feb. 1 of larceny and conspiracy in connection with the same exchange theft.
Trappier received a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for eight months, forfeiture of $823 pay per month for eight months and reduction in pay grade to E-1. He also is being held at the Camp Hansen brig.
Trappier is not a suspect in Palecco’s death, officials said.
As of Friday evening, Marine public affairs officers had not responded to repeated attempts to obtain further information on each suspect’s alleged role in the death and trial dates.
