Marine Charged With Sexual Assaults at Joint Base in South Jersey

A marine from Burlington County man has been charged in the sexual assault of two women at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, authorities say.

Michael C. Taylor, 19, of Fort Dix, was charged by indictment with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse by force and two counts of abusive sexual contact, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said on Friday.

Taylor was arrested by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at a U.S. Marine training facility in Pensacola, Florida. He had an initial court appearance in Florida, and will have an initial appearance and an arraignment in New Jersey at a later date.

Taylor, who is now a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, allegedly forced two young women to engage in sexual acts on March 15, 2014. He also allegedly forced one woman to engage in sexual contact, according to the indictment.

He was living in in military housing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a military dependent at the time of the alleged offenses.

Taylor potentially faces life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the sexual assault charges. The two counts of abusive sexual contact each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.