A member of the US Navy has been sentenced to 44 years in federal prison after admitting to the fatal strangulation of a fellow sailor in his barracks room, violently squeezing the neck of another woman aboard an aircraft carrier, and illegally making secret video recordings of a third individual, including during intimate moments.
Details of the Case
Jermiah Copeland, a 21-year-old culinary specialist, pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder and making a false official statement in connection with the death of Angelina Resendiz, also a culinary specialist from Mexia, Texas. According to the US Naval Institute, Resendiz was last seen alive in her barracks room at Virginia's Naval Station Norfolk. Her body was discovered two weeks later in woods approximately 10 miles from the base. Investigators suspected Copeland killed Resendiz in his room, concealed her body in his closet for days, and then discarded it in the woods.
During a court proceeding, Copeland admitted that after a night of drinking and kissing, he strangled Resendiz when a notification on his phone upset her. He also acknowledged lying to Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents about bringing her to her room alive.
Additional Charges
Copeland also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault by strangulation for compressing the neck of another woman in July 2024 aboard the USS Harry S Truman. He confessed to illicitly recording a woman in a bathroom stall and recording himself having sex with her. Other charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea, which included a 44-year sentence at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. He must register as a sex offender, forfeit pay, undergo a demotion, and receive a dishonorable discharge.
Victim's Family Calls for Reform
Resendiz's mother, Esmeralda Castle, has called for reforms within the armed forces to better protect women serving in the military. She has spoken to congressional representatives, state lawmakers, and national organizations about combating physical abuse and sexual assault. Castle, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for a Texas state house district, stated that her campaign was about compassion, community, resilience, and hope. She emphasized, 'I have to help my kid.'
A forensic psychologist testified that Copeland survived childhood sexual abuse and other trauma, which may have caused social problems, but did not determine if those experiences drove him to kill. Copeland's grandmother, Kathy Brown, testified that her family loved him but did not condone his actions and believed he deserved to be held accountable.
