Beaufort Marine detained for questioning in Laurel Bay rape

A Beaufort Marine is being detained at the Charleston Naval Consolidated Brig in connection with a rape earlier this week at base housing in Laurel Bay, officials at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort said late Saturday.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service declined to release the Marine's name Saturday because he has not been formally charged, said Gunnery Sgt. Chad McMeen, an air station spokesman.

"(NCIS) had been watching him since Tuesday ... and felt they had enough evidence to detain him for questioning," McMeen said.

McMeen confirmed that the Marine is a lance corporal attached to a unit at MCAS Beaufort and is the person of interest NCIS identified shortly after the woman was assaulted Tuesday morning inside her home. Base officials have declined to provide details about the attack or the victim -- including whether she was a Marine or the wife of a Marine -- citing the on-going investigation.

"(NCIS) is continuing its detailed investigation and this situation remains the top priority with investigators and military law enforcement," the base wrote in a statement Saturday night.