CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has been tried in a Philippine Court in the October 11, 2014 death of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in Subic Bay, Philippines. He was found guilty of homicide and sentenced to 6-12 years.
Pemberton, 20, is an anti-tank missileman, and was assigned at the time of this incident to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a native of Bristol, Mass. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 2013 and joined 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in January 2014. Pemberton was reassigned to Headquarters & Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific for the duration of the investigation and legal proceedings.
In accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Republic of the Philippines, Pemberton will remain at a mutually agreed upon location, currently Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City.
For follow on questions, please e-mail the MARFORPAC PAO Organizational mailbox at marforpacpao@usmc.mil.