US Navy officer Lt. Ridge Alkonis transferred to federal prison in Los Angeles after release from Japan
By Jake Tapper and Jennifer Hansler | CNN
Lt. Ridge Alkonis, a US Navy officer who was detained in Japan for negligent driving resulting in the death of two people, has been transferred to a federal prison in Los Angeles, according to a family spokesperson and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
A BOP spokesperson confirmed that Alkonis is now in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. The family is pushing for his release, stating that it is outrageous for him to be spending time in jail.
The family has also expressed their encouragement for Alkonis’ transfer back to the United States, but will not celebrate until he has been reunited with his family. Alkonis rose to US custody after Vice President Kamala Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan engaged directly and he was brought back to the US under an international prisoner convention that allows individuals to serve the remainder of their confinement in their home country.
Alkonis was sentenced to three years in a Japanese prison for negligent driving resulting in the death of two people and injuries to a third person. He has appealed the decision, claiming that he suffered from acute mountain sickness, which caused him to lose consciousness while driving. The family has argued that there have been violations of the status of forces agreement between the United States and Japan during the legal proceedings.
The family is urging for Alkonis’ immediate release and is hoping to have him home to enjoy the holidays with his wife and children.
