US navy member sentenced to 44 years in prison for killing female sailor
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Jermiah Copeland, a US Navy culinary specialist, was sentenced to 44 years in federal prison after admitting to fatally strangling fellow sailor Angelina Resendiz and committing multiple assaults and illegal recordings onboard naval vessels.
- Resendiz's family, led by her mother Esmeralda Castle, is advocating for reforms to better protect women in the military, drawing parallels to the 2020 murder of Army soldier Vanessa Guillén that prompted policy changes.
- Copeland confessed to strangling Resendiz in his barracks room, concealing her body in his closet, and later discarding it in nearby woods, as well as assaulting another woman and secretly recording a third.
- In addition to his prison sentence, Copeland will be dishonorably discharged, demoted, forfeit pay, and must register as a sex offender; he also apologized to the families and the Navy during his court-martial.
- Resendiz’s mother has engaged with lawmakers and organizations to push for military reforms and previously ran for Texas state legislature to promote protections against abuse and assault, emphasizing compassion and community.