US sailor pleads guilty to murder of fellow service member at Norfolk base PHOTO

A U.S. Navy sailor has pleaded guilty to murdering a fellow service member at Naval Station Norfolk, admitting in court that he strangled the victim and later concealed her body, in a case that has led to a minimum 40-year prison sentence under a plea agreement.

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jeremiah Copeland admitted during a general court-martial on Monday that he killed CS3 Angelina Resendiz in May 2025 while both were stationed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), Caliber.Az reports per US Naval Institute.

He told the military judge he strangled her during an argument in his barracks room at Naval Station Norfolk and later hid her body before moving it to a wooded area near the base.

Resendiz, 21, was reported missing after last being seen on 29 May 2025 in her barracks. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Naval Criminal Investigative Service later recovered her remains two weeks afterwards. Although the medical examiner ruled the cause of death “undetermined,” investigators concluded she had been killed in the barracks.

As part of the plea deal, Copeland pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder, making false official statements, aggravated assault involving strangulation, and indecent recording of another victim. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and faces a dishonourable discharge, loss of pay, and reduction in rank to E-1.

The case has highlighted serious internal safety and disciplinary concerns within the U.S. Navy, with court proceedings continuing as sentencing details are finalised.