NORFOLK, Va. — Jermiah Copeland, the sailor accused of killing Petty Officer Angelina Resendiz, pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder Monday morning at Naval Station Norfolk, admitting that he strangled the fellow sailor to death in his barracks during a night of drinking.
Norfolk reporter Jay Greene was in court Monday as Copeland pleaded guilty to five charges, as new details were outlined in the highly-anticipated case.
Norfolk
TIMELINE: Everything we know about the murder of Angelina Resendiz
Copeland said that on May 29, 2025, Resendiz was in his barracks hanging out, drinking, and kissing. When his phone flashed with a notification, she got upset and he wanted her to be quiet. She fell to the ground and he strangled her to death with his hands.
Copeland 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.
Watch related: Resendiz's mother speaks to media after plea hearing for Copeland
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.
Watch previous coverage from the trial
Copeland will be sentenced to no less than 40 years and two months at Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas. He will also receive a dishonorable discharge and reduction of rank.
The now-convicted sailor appeared in court 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.
In an interview with News 3 in May, Attorney Marshall Griffin said Resendiz’s family was asked to provide input on proposed plea terms and possible sentencing outcomes, but stressed nothing had been finalized at the time.
Watch previous coverage: True Crime 757 podcast unravels the murder case of Angelina Resendiz
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.
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