On July 13, 2020 the US Navy LHD-6 Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship was destroyed by fire while docked at US Naval Base San Diego.
heysocal.com
Nineteen-year old seaman recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays of Ashland, Kentucky was charged with arson in the destruction of the $1.4 billion vessel commissioned on 15 August 1998. The ship was undergoing repairs at US Naval Base San Diego at the time of the fire, which raged for 5 days and resulted in it being sold for scrap.
The legal action against Mays was primarily based upon the testimony of another seaman, Kenji Velasco. No physical evidence connecting Mays to the fire was ever presented. However, the fire, its causes and aftermath, resulted in more than 20 senior officers and sailors being disciplined.
Mays was found not guilty by a Navy judge in the case after a two-year investigation and trial. While he is still a US Navy seaman it remains to be seen where his career goes from here.
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