FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
ANGELA DODGE |
July 20, 2012 |
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER |
(713) 567-9388 |
Spring Man Charged with Intoxication Manslaughter in Death of Friend in Japan
HOUSTON - Federal charges have been filed against the son of a United States Navy man for his role in a car crash in Okinawa, Japan, which left one man dead and another seriously injured, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. The criminal information charges James Lewis Yeakey, 24, of Spring, Texas, with one count of intoxication manslaughter .
Yeakey turned himself into federal authorities this morning and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks in Houston at 2:00 p.m. today.
The criminal information alleges Yeakey drove at a high rate of speed and caused an accident on March 23, 2008, in Okinawa, Japan. The accident caused the death of a 16-year-old victim who was riding in the passenger seat of the car Yeakey was driving. Later blood alcohol testing revealed that Yeakey was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
The conduct alleged in the criminal information occurred outside the jurisdiction of any particular state or district and within the venue of the U.S. Attorney's Office - Southern District of Texas as Yeakey's last known U.S. residence is in Spring. At the time of the alleged offense, Yeakey's father was an active duty member of the United States Navy stationed at an Armed Forces facility outside the United States. Yeakey is a United States citizen and was present and residing with such a member of the Armed Forces.
If convicted, Yeakey faces up to eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation leading up to the arrest was conducted by the Okinawa Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Elmilady of the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Stephen Curran of the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section in the Justice Department's Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.