NORFOLK, Va. — Jermiah Copeland has been sentenced to 43 years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday to unpremeditated murder in the death of Petty Officer Angelina Resendiz.
Copeland received a sentence of 528 months — or 44 years — with 365 days suspended for time served. Now, 21, he'll be 64 when he's released if he serves the full sentence.
Tuesday morning saw family of Copeland take the stand. In an emotional moment, Copeland’s grandmother asked to speak mother-to-mother with Resendiz's mother, Esmeralda Castle, and expressed her condolences.
Norfolk
TIMELINE: Everything we know about the murder of Angelina Resendiz
We’ve learned that Copeland has a 4-year-old son and is part of a large family. His mother also spoke at the hearing.
Copeland took the stand to apologize to his family, Resendiz’s family, and the Navy.
Watch: Esmeralda Castle, LULAC official speaks to media after Jermiah Copeland sentencing
A forensic psychologist revealed that Copeland had previous traumas including sexual abuse while he was in pre-school and experienced other forms of abuse through at least middle school. The forensic psychologist said this trauma likely contributed to certain behaviors and social issues throughout his life; however, the scope of her examinations did not encompass whether these issues would have caused him to kill Resendiz.
Copeland on Monday admitted that he strangled the fellow sailor to death in his barracks during a night of drinking. He admitted he lied to NCIS investigators when initially interviewed about her whereabouts; he told them he brought her back to her room. He also admitted in court he brought her body to a wooded area in the Broad Creek section of Norfolk on June 2, 2025. Her body was discovered a week later.
According to the plea deal holding statement, Copeland was guilty of five of the seven charges held against him: guilty of aggravated assault strangulation, indecent recording, obstruction of justice, false official statement, and his premeditated murder charge was reduced to an unpremeditated murder charge.
One of the charges Copeland pleaded guilty to involved strangling another woman on the USS Harry S. Truman on July 24, 2024; he also pleaded guilty to secretly recording a woman in a bathroom stall, and recording her while they were having sex.
Copeland was not guilty of other counts of aggravated sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, sexual assault - incapable of consenting, sexual assault without consent, as well as domestic violence - strangulation and domestic violence - violent offense.
Copeland will serve his sentence at Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas. He will also receive a dishonorable discharge and reduction of rank.
Watch previous coverage from the trial
The now-convicted sailor appeared in court on Monday in white dress. His family was in attendance, as was Resendiz's mother Esmeralda Castle, and other sailors from the USS James E. Williams, where the two served.
As part of the plea agreement, Copeland met with Castle in private at Castle's request.
Watch related: Resendiz's mother speaks to media after plea hearing for Copeland
Resendiz’s family has been outspoken over the past year, calling for reforms within the military and greater protections for women in the armed forces. Castle has worked alongside the League of United Latin American Citizens to push Congress for accountability and change. On Monday, she said she wants Angelina’s story to help other service members find their voice.
“She is a catalyst for change,” Castle said. “There’s women that are now starting to speak up, women, men, quiet for 20 years and now they see what’s happening and they’re telling their families what happened.”
Watch previous coverage: True Crime 757 podcast unravels the murder case of Angelina Resendiz
