Man who murdered Navy sailor Angelina Resendiz sentenced to 44 years

Emma Rose Brown, The Virginian-Pilot on Jun 9, 2026

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NORFOLK, Va. — A military judge sentenced Jermiah Copeland on Tuesday to 44 years in federal prison.

Prior to sentencing, the 21-year-old apologized to the family of Angelina Resendiz, saying he will spend the rest of his days thinking about the harm he caused.

“I’m truly sorry for my actions,” Copeland said. “I will spend many years behind bars, but it does not compare to what I took from you.”

Copeland’s mother and grandmother also testified, telling the court that his family loves him but they do not condone his actions.

During her testimony, his grandmother asked the judge if she could stand and address Resendiz’s mother directly.

“We want you to know as a mom, as a grandmother, we feel you,” Kathleen Brown said to Esmeralda Castle. “We don’t condone what happened to your daughter. We are so sorry…we love you and are here for you and our heart goes out to you…We are going to make a positive outcome, you, me and (Copeland’s mother) Rochelle (Brown).”

Brown then stepped down from the stand and hugged Castle in the gallery.

The court also heard from a forensic psychologist, Dr. Jamie Dickson, who had evaluated Copeland. According to her assessments, Copeland has some attention and impulsivity impairments. She also disclosed that Copeland had experienced both child sexual abuse and physical abuse.

Dickson noted a lack of intervention in his history, stating that the first time he participated in treatment programming of any kind was at the Chesapeake brig during the past year.

During the closing summary, prosecutor Lauren Mayo told the court that Copeland had multiple chances to course correct.

“(Copeland) does not deserve relief because of youth or immaturity,” Mayo said.

She described his actions as manipulative and deceitful, and said his was “not impulsive behavior,” but “calculated.”

She detailed how Copeland killed Resendiz in the early hours of May 29, then concealed her body for days in a black nylon suitcase in his closet before moving it to the wooded area where he abandoned it.

The suitcase where Copeland concealed Resendiz’s remains was displayed in court for the judge and gallery to see.

“It’s the hope that kills you,” Mayo said as she recounted the 12 days experienced by Resendiz’s friends and family following her disappearance.

As a part of his sentence, Copeland will receive a reduction in rank to Seaman Apprentice and a dishonorable discharge. He will forfeit all pay and allowances.

He will be imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth and be required to register as a sex offender. He will receive 365 days of time served for his year in the Chesapeake brig before the case’s resolution.

At the trial’s conclusion, Resendiz’s mother said that the work to honor Resendiz’s legacy continues.

“The military needs to be held accountable for the harms that are committed by commands,” said Castle. “Change is coming — you can’t help it and you can’t stop it. When people want change, it’s going to change. And so it’s either get with it, or get out of the way.”

Castle has called for an independent investigation into the failure in leadership that resulted in her daughter’s death. Accountability, she said, is the goal.

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