Sailors man the rails as USS Abraham Lincoln returns to its homeport at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on Dec. 20, 2024, after a five-month deployment. The ship operated for much of the time in the Middle East, including areas of the Red Sea under attack from missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. (U.S. Navy)

A sailor who disappeared from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln more than two weeks ago has voluntarily returned to the Navy base in San Diego, the service said Tuesday.

Seaman Sergio Valoura, 19, from East Brunswick, N.J., was located last week in the Los Angeles area by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with assistance from Los Angeles police, according to the Naval Air Forces Pacific in San Diego.

Valoura, who is a culinary specialist, agreed to return Sunday to Naval Air Station North Island, the homeport of the Abraham Lincoln, the Navy said.

“He was transferred to Naval Medical Center San Diego for a full medical assessment on June 16,” the service said. “USS Abraham Lincoln leadership is thankful for the professionalism of NCIS and LAPD in ensuring Seaman Valoura’s safety and wellbeing.”

Seaman Sergio Valoura, 19, of East Brunswick, N.J., voluntarily returned to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego after disappearing from the USS Abraham Lincoln for 17 days. (Facebook)

On May 30, Valoura failed to report for assigned duties, setting off a ship-wide search for the sailor. When he could not be located on the ship, NCIS was contacted and an alert was sent to Southern California law enforcement.

Crewmates and friends of Valoura’s have been seeking information on his whereabouts since May 30 via social media. A Facebook post on a naval aviation-related group page stated Valoura was last seen walking on the hangar deck of the aircraft carrier on the morning of May 30. A person who posted said friends were concerned he might try to hurt himself.

Valoura was listed as having an “unauthorized absence.” Under Navy guidelines, after five days of unauthorized absence, sailors no longer receive pay. Their next of kin receive a letter calling for their surrender to authorities.

If Valoura had not returned within 30 days — June 29 — he would have been considered a deserter. At that point, he would have been placed on the FBI Most Wanted database and a federal warrant issued for his arrest. If apprehended, a deserter faces a court-martial that can include prison time and a dishonorable discharge.

Naval Air Forces Pacific declined to comment on what penalties Valoura might face for his unauthorized absence. Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice states a service member with an unauthorized absence of three to 30 days faces a maximum penalty of receiving 2/3 pay for six months, up to six months confinement and reduction to E-1.

However, cases are handled on an individual basis, the Navy said. Factors include the circumstances of the absence, the service member’s record prior to the absence, their conduct during the absence and willingness to return from an absence.

Some unauthorized absences have been handled with an administrative separation with an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable circumstances. The latter bars the sailor from re-enlisting or receiving benefits under the GI Bill.

Valoura enlisted in the Navy on July 12, 2023. He had initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill., and the Naval Technical Training Center Detachment, the Navy said. The Abraham Lincoln was his first assignment. When deployed, the ship has a crew of 3,200 along with more than 2,400 air wing personnel.

The carrier deployed to the Pacific in July 2024, then was sent in August to the Middle East to buttress the U.S. military response to Houthi rebel attacks on shipping that began with the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. The ship conducted combat operations in the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis attempted to target the Abraham Lincoln and destroyers in its carrier strike group, but no U.S. ships were hit or damaged, according to the Navy.

The Abraham Lincoln returned to Naval Air Station North Island on Dec. 20, 2024.