Navy Sailor Pleads Guilty to Murder of Fellow Sailor Found Dead Near Naval Station Norfolk

By [Staff Writer] — Maine News Now

A U.S. Navy sailor pleaded guilty Monday to strangling a 21-year-old fellow sailor whose body was discovered in a wooded area near Norfolk, Virginia, last summer, bringing a measure of closure to a family that has spent more than a year searching for answers.

Jeremiah Copeland admitted during a general court-martial hearing to the unpremeditated murder of Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz, according to USNI News. He also pleaded guilty to making a false official statement, aggravated assault involving a second victim, and indecent recording involving a third victim.

Speaking to the military judge, Copeland described how the killing unfolded on May 29, 2025. "I killed CS3 Resendiz on May 29, 2025. I strangled her with my hands," he said, according to USNI News.

According to Copeland's account in court, Resendiz came to his barracks room, where the two drank alcohol and kissed. He said she became upset after seeing something on his phone. Copeland told the judge he strangled her while trying to prevent her from drawing the attention of other sailors.

The medical examiner had previously listed Resendiz's cause of death as undetermined, leaving her mother, Esmi Castle, with questions about how her daughter died for more than a year. Castle said hearing Copeland's admission brought her "peace of mind."

"Now that I know, I don't have to think about it anymore," Castle said.

Resendiz's body was found in a wooded area in Norfolk, roughly 10 miles from Naval Station Norfolk, in June 2025, after an extensive search.

Sentencing and Plea Agreement

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Copeland faces a minimum of 40 years in prison, a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and a reduction in rank. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Questions About Earlier Allegations

While the guilty plea ended the uncertainty surrounding Resendiz's death, it reignited concerns from her family and advocates about whether Navy leadership missed chances to intervene beforehand.

Castle argued that previous allegations involving Copeland should have prompted stronger action. "If they would have dealt with him when he started harming women, he would never have gotten to Angie," she said.

When asked whether Copeland had a history of harming women, Castle responded without hesitation. "Absolutely, yes," she said. "There were four other women before he harmed Angie in the military." Court records and prior reporting have described allegations involving other women, though not all resulted in guilty pleas.

Maine News Now has reached out to the U.S. Navy for comment.

A Mother's Advocacy

Since her daughter's death, Castle has become a vocal advocate for military sexual violence survivors. She traveled recently to Washington, D.C., with advocacy groups and other military families pushing for reforms, including creating a pathway for survivors of military sexual assault and violence to pursue claims in civilian courts.

Castle said active-duty service members often lack meaningful avenues for accountability outside the military justice system. "There's no justice," she said. "Victims are retaliated against. They get transferred. They get moved around."

She said she has met relatives of service members from multiple branches whose experiences convinced her the problem extends well beyond a single case. "Nothing's changed," Castle said. "We have statutes, and we have policies, and we have procedures that were implemented by Congress to protect service members from this type of violence. And nothing's changed."

Remembering Angelina

Before her death, Resendiz was working to advance her career as a culinary specialist, with aspirations of one day joining the Navy's elite culinary competition team. Her mother said she dreamed of eventually cooking for presidents and world leaders.

"She was trying to grow," Castle said. "She was doing everything she could to get ready for promotion."

A Surprising Conversation

Despite her criticism of the system she believes failed her daughter, Castle said she does not harbor hatred toward Copeland. After Monday's hearing, she spoke directly with him.

"I thanked him for telling the truth," Castle said.

She also met with Copeland's mother and grandmother, who attended the proceedings. "We technically have all lost our kids," Castle said.

Rather than expressing anger, Castle said she hopes Copeland uses the decades ahead of him in prison to change. "He still can choose better," she said, adding that she told Copeland that even while serving a lengthy sentence, he "still can do some good."