US navy member sentenced to 44 years in prison for killing female sailor
Summary
A US Navy sailor, Jermiah Copeland, was sentenced to 44 years in federal prison after admitting he strangled and killed a fellow sailor, Angelina Resendiz, at Naval Station Norfolk. Copeland also admitted to assaulting another woman and secretly recording a third woman without permission while serving on aircraft carriers.Key Facts
- Jermiah Copeland killed Angelina Resendiz in his barracks room and later disposed of her body in nearby woods.
- Copeland strangled another woman onboard the USS Harry S Truman and took secret videos of a third woman without her knowledge.
- He pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder, aggravated assault by strangulation, making false statements, and indecent recording.
- Copeland received a 44-year prison sentence and will be dishonorably discharged, demoted, lose pay, and must register as a sex offender.
- The victim’s family is calling for military reforms to better protect women serving in the armed forces.
- The case echoes past military sexual assault issues, including the 2020 murder of Army soldier Vanessa Guillén, which led to policy changes.
- Copeland met with Resendiz’s mother before sentencing; she has campaigned for greater protections for women in the military.
- A psychologist noted Copeland experienced childhood trauma and abuse but did not link that to his actions in the case.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.