NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy sailor was indicted on federal child sex charges Wednesday, court documents show.
Joshua Lee Ray is facing three counts of aggravated sexual abuse with children, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of destruction, alteration and falsification of records. His indictment also sought criminal forfeiture if he's convicted.
He was assigned aboard the USS Gravely, which is based out of Naval Station Norfolk, an affidavit obtained by 13News Now shows. Court documents don't specify if he is still active duty.
The affidavit details several incidents of alleged sexual assault of a boy he used to babysit between January 2017 and December 2021. The victim was under the age of 12.
The affidavit also said that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) obtained a case file from the Newport News Police Department regarding a prior investigation of child sexual assault involving a second victim, a girl who was also under the age of 12. The assaults allegedly happened between January 2015 and January 2017.
Both children were assaulted at Ray's military housing in Newport News, the affidavit said.
An indictment document obtained by 13News Now accused Ray of victimizing a third person, a child under the age of 12, between June 2022 and October 2023.
During the investigation of Ray, NCIS searched Ray's phone and found several sexually explicit pictures of minors, the affidavit said. He also allegedly searched for ways to clear his Instagram history and erase data from his phone.
The indictment came from the Norfolk division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. According to the affidavit, NCIS is continuing an investigation into Ray.
"The Navy is working with law enforcement and I would direct further questions to law enforcement and the NCIS," United States Fleet Forces Public Affairs Officer Capt. Dave Hecht said in a statement to 13News Now.