A Camp Pendleton Marine accused of having sex with a missing 14-year-old girl who was found in his barracks last summer will face court-martial, military officials said Wednesday.
The decision comes three months after a preliminary hearing for Pfc. Avery Rosario, whose case grabbed attention after the girl’s aunt posted a TikTok video raising questions and alleging the girl had been trafficked. The decision was made by Brig. Gen. Andrew Niebel, commanding general of 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Rosario is due in a Camp Pendleton court for arraignment Thursday. A trial date likely will be set at that time, officials said.
“As always, the command respects the legal process, the rights of the accused, as well as any other individuals affected by the case,” reads a statement issued by the 1st Marine Logistics Group. “We will continue to release information as transparently as possible without interfering with the legal process.”
Earlier this year, Rosario was charged with sexual assault and violating liberty restrictions for leaving the base without permission. The charges indicated the alleged crimes or violations happened June 27. His preliminary hearing in the case was Aug. 17 at Camp Pendleton.
Rosario’s attorneys argued at that hearing that their client met the girl on Tinder — a dating app for adults — where her profile said she was 21 years old. They said Rosario believed she was in her early 20s, and…
