Navy sailor sentenced to 44 years for killing fellow sailor

A United States Navy sailor was sentenced on Tuesday to 44 years in a military prison for the 2025 killing of a fellow sailor in Virginia. Seaman Apprentice Jeremiah Copeland received the sentence at Naval Station Norfolk after pleading guilty on Monday to unpremeditated murder and other charges in the death of Petty Officer 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz.

Copeland admitted in court that he strangled the 21-year-old Resendiz inside his barracks room on May 29, 2025. The two, who served together aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams, had been drinking and kissing when Resendiz became upset after seeing a notification on his phone. Copeland testified that he knocked her down, covered her mouth, and strangled her with both hands. He then concealed her body in a suitcase, later moving it to a wooded area in Norfolk's Broad Creek neighborhood, where it was discovered on June 9, 2025.

As part of his plea agreement, Copeland also pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault by strangulation involving a second sailor, indecent recording of a third, obstruction of justice, and making a false official statement. He initially lied to Naval Criminal Investigative Service...