Sex offense charge filed following DNA test

By LONNIE MACK

A Camp Lejeune Marine corporal was charged with a sex offense Wednesday after a DNA test connected him to the alleged crime.

Cpl. Sergio G. Lujan, 21, of 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was charged with second-degree sexual offense, said Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown.

Authorities were first notified Feb. 8 after a woman went to Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital to report she had been raped, Brown said.

The woman told authorities that on Feb. 7, she took one Ambien, a prescription sleeping pill, and then made a few phone calls. After 9:30 p.m., she took another Ambien and shortly after, Lujan, who was her friend, showed up at her house, Brown said.

“She gave him an Ambien pill and they talked,” Brown said. “Then the male friend became very touchy feely. About 11:30 p.m., she told (Lujan) she was going to bed so she got up and walked around the bed and got in.”

She told authorities that she tried to stay awake.

“She said she remembered (Lujan) telling her that her dog had his trousers and (Lujan) lying down beside her in the bed.”

When the woman woke up, she felt a pain that made her believe she had been sexually assaulted, Brown said.

“She said she thought it was a dream,” Brown said.

The woman woke up at about 5 p.m. on Feb. 8 and called her friend who took her to Naval Hospital. Onslow sheriff’s 1st Sgt. Jeff Eason went to the hospital to interview the woman. When asked if she wanted Lujan charged, she told authorities he was her friend and replied, “No.” She also signed a form asking the investigation be stopped, Brown said.

“However, the victim called later to ask the complaint be reopened for investigation,” Brown said.

The case was assigned to detective Joe Frandsen, who interviewed Lujan.

“Lujan admitted to being at the victim’s house ..., but he did not take any Ambien pill nor did he have any sex with her,” Brown said.

A rape kit and a sample of Lujan’s blood was sent to the SBI crime lab for DNA profiling, which produced a DNA match, Brown said.

Lujan was asked to come back to the Sheriff’s Department.

“Sergio G. Lujan still contends there was no sex act,” Brown said.

He was placed under $20,000 and released after he made his bond, Brown said.