NORFOLK, Va. — UPDATE: (6/9/2026)
Jermiah Copeland has been sentenced to 43 years in prison after pleading guilty to unpremeditated murder in the death of Petty Officer Angelina Resendiz, according to our sister station, WTKR.
Copeland received a sentence of 528 months — or 44 years — with 365 days suspended for time served.
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The sentencing phase for a U.S. Navy Sailor who admitted to strangling a fellow sailor to death will be sentenced on Tuesday.
According to our sister station WTKR, Jermiah Copeland plead guilty to murdering Angelina Resendiz. The Mexia High School graduate was found dead back in May of 2025 after she was reported missing.
Monday morning, Copeland entered a guilty plea to five charges, including unpremeditated murder of Resendiz by strangulation.
In a plea agreement, Copeland is expected to be sentenced to serve a minimum of 40 years and two months of confinement at Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas. He will also be dishonorably discharged, forfeit all pay and will be reduced to the rank of seaman apprentice.
This is a developing story and we will update you as we learn more.
