A United States Navy sailor admitted in court Monday to strangling a fellow service member inside his barracks room in 2025, ending months of uncertainty for the victim’s family while raising serious questions about whether military leadership failed to act on prior warning signs. Jeremiah Copeland pleaded guilty to the unpremeditated murder of 21-year-old Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz during a general court-martial proceeding. The victim’s mother, Esmi Castle, described the confession as bringing “peace of mind” after her daughter’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Norfolk, Virginia, approximately 10 miles from Naval Station Norfolk in June 2025.
During the hearing, Copeland provided detailed testimony about the events of May 29, 2025, when Resendiz came to his barracks room. He told the military judge, “I killed CS3 Resendiz on May 29, 2025. I strangled her with my hands.” According to court testimony, the two had consumed alcohol and kissed before Resendiz became upset after seeing something on his phone. Copeland admitted to strangling her while attempting to prevent her from attracting the attention of other sailors. The medical examiner had previously ruled the cause of death undetermined, making Copeland’s admission a critical development in the case.
Guilty plea includes multiple charges beyond murder
The court-martial addressed several criminal allegations beyond the killing of Resendiz. Copeland entered guilty pleas to making a false official statement, aggravated assault involving a second victim, and indecent recording involving a third victim. The pattern of charges suggested a history of misconduct that preceded the fatal incident. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Copeland faces a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison. The agreement also mandates a dishonorable discharge from the Navy, forfeiture of all pay and benefits, and reduction in rank to the lowest grade. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his eventual release from custody.
Castle told reporters that hearing the admission answered lingering questions about how her daughter died. “Now that I know, I don’t have to think about it anymore,” she said. However, the confession also intensified her criticism of Navy leadership and the military justice system. Castle believes multiple opportunities existed to intervene before her daughter’s death. “If they would have dealt with him when he started harming women, he would never have gotten to Angie,” she argued.
Mother claims pattern of violence preceded daughter’s death
Castle stated that Copeland had a documented history of harming women while serving in the military. “Absolutely, yes,” she said when asked whether prior incidents should have triggered stronger action. “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 or convictions. The mother emphasized that Navy leadership failed to adequately respond to earlier complaints and allegations. She believes the system allows perpetrators to continue serving even after serious accusations emerge.
Before her death, Resendiz was actively working to advance her Navy career as a culinary specialist. She harbored ambitions of joining the service’s elite culinary competition team and dreamed of eventually preparing meals for presidents and other world leaders. “She was trying to grow,” Castle recalled. “She was doing everything she could to get ready for promotion.” The young sailor’s aspirations were cut short at age 21, leaving her family to grapple with both grief and frustration over what they view as preventable tragedy.
Advocate pushes for civilian court access for military victims
Since her daughter’s death, Castle has become an outspoken advocate for military sexual violence victims. She argues that active-duty service members lack meaningful avenues to seek accountability outside the military justice system. One of her primary advocacy goals involves creating a legal pathway for military sexual assault and violence survivors to pursue claims in civilian courts. Castle contends that victims too often face retaliation when they report incidents within the chain of command.
- Victims are frequently transferred or moved to different units after reporting allegations.
- Military policies and procedures implemented by Congress have not produced substantial change.
- Service members from multiple branches report similar experiences with inadequate responses.
- Advocates seek reform allowing civilian court jurisdiction over certain military crimes.
“There’s no justice,” Castle stated. “Victims are retaliated against. They get transferred. They get moved around.” She recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with advocacy groups and other military families to push for legislative reforms. Through those efforts, she met relatives of service members from various branches whose experiences convinced her the problem extends far beyond a single case or installation.
System failures persist despite existing protections
Castle expressed frustration that despite existing statutes, policies, and procedures designed to protect service members from violence, meaningful change has not materialized. “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,” she said. “And nothing’s changed.” The mother believes the military justice system lacks adequate oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure consistent application of protective measures. Her advocacy work focuses on expanding external review options and providing victims with legal recourse outside the military command structure.
Despite her sharp criticism of the system, Castle said she does not harbor personal hatred toward Copeland. After the hearing concluded, she spoke directly with him and thanked him for telling the truth about what happened to her daughter. Castle also met with Copeland’s mother and grandmother, who attended the court-martial proceedings. “We technically have all lost our kids,” she reflected. Rather than expressing anger, Castle said she hopes Copeland uses the decades ahead of him in prison to make better choices. “He still can choose better,” she told him, adding that even while serving a lengthy prison sentence, he has the capacity for personal change and growth.
