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According to the statement of facts, Pearson began making inappropriate comments during the course of the training, such as asking where the victim kept her feminine products or suggesting she sleep with him before he would sign off on a training sheet.

On June 21, a group of sailors was drinking and dancing in a bar in the capital of American Samoa, Pago Pago. Pearson kept dancing close to the victim in a way that made her uncomfortable, the statement of facts said.

The next night, crew members were drinking again at a bar on shore when Pearson pulled the victim aside for a “heart-to-heart,” bringing up uncomfortable topics such as what she would do if one of her cabin-mates were having sexual relations with an officer.

The victim tried to avoid Pearson for the rest of the night. When the group was back on the ship, the victim went to get a drink of water in the wardroom. Pearson walked up behind her and put his hand down her shorts.

The statement of facts said she froze in fear and Pearson only stopped when another sailor came in and said, “Stop being so creepy.”

The witness took the victim to inform the chain of command about the assault.

The ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. John Allsop, testified that he ordered Pearson be sent back to Canada immediately.

Allsop made sure the victim received proper assistance but ultimately the woman was too distressed to continue with her training and left the ship.

Allsop said the mood on the ship “went to a very dark place” after the assault.