Mejhor Morta, a 26-year-old Fort Hood soldier, was found dead on July 17 in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, government officials and local police said. Vanessa Guilln, 20, whose remains were found after extensive national attention. Elder Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit on Aug. 17. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, died by suicide, and that a second suspect, a woman, had been arrested, identified Robinson as the deceased suspect, U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas. The 20-year-old went missing from her Army base on April 22. Official websites use .gov So I'm trying to see for when the lawyer gets in contact with them and more higher people, they will be able to give us some information, because they know," she said. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 2023 Cable News Network. Found out their "leader" was a staff sgt who was aware of who was on post, exercises, etc and knew which houses would be empty and when. Judge Marmolejo also emphasized that everyone involved in the scheme knew that wearing a uniform would assist in evading detection or arrest. "Our worst nightmare has happened," Khawam said. A Texas man, Brandon Michael Olivares, was recently arrested and charged for Rosecrans' murder. [12] The training in this facility is unlike any other facility. Khawam announced at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol that a suspect tied to Guillen's disappearance died by suicide, and that a second suspect, a woman, had been arrested. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. About two weeks before that, on July 1, human remains were discovered near Fort Hood and subsequently identified as Guillen. Upon their arrival, officers "determined that the subject had been deceased for some period of time.". U.S. Army via AP On June 19, skeletal remains found near Fort Hood, following an anonymous tip, were later identified as Pvt. Sgt. 5:11 PM EDT, Sun October 10, 2021. By bringing in outside consultant civillians, it (1) allows the matter to be taken outside of Army hands,[10] (2) prolongs a proper military investigation, and (3) enables a potential coverup of a sexual assault ring involving high level officers. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. These are only some of many that signaled an alarming pattern that's developed over the years with several of the deaths that occurred on or near the base linked to foul play. Multiple deaths of young US soldiers at Fort Hood,[4] has shed light on a sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas. Milley raised concerns that warning signs of serious trouble may have been missed. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Fort Hood conspiracy involves a grand scale sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas, that utilizes underground facilities, particularly West Fort Hood, to conduct human trafficking transactions. The disappearance came a year after the disappearance of Pfc . Hood soldier, What We Know About the Death of Vanessa Guillen, Army announces new investigation into Vanessa Guillen case as senior Fort Hood official removed from post, Army officials reveal new details in Vanessa Guillen case, U.S. Army Foot Hood website: REMEMBERING VANESSA GUILLEN, What to know about missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, The military failed him, family of slain Fort Hood soldier Gregory Wedel Morales says, The military failed him: Soldiers bones found months after he was labeled a deserter, Family hopes autopsy will help strike dead Fort Hood soldiers name from deserter list, Fort Hood: What we know about 12 soldiers missing, slain or killed in accidents since January, Lawmakers to officially introduce #IAmVanessaGuillen bill Wednesday, Military makes little effort to punish deserters, A Year of Heartbreak and Bloodshed at Fort Hood, Missing Fort Hood soldier found in Louisiana, Vanessa Guillens Mother Claims Her Killer Did Not Die. Will It Matter To Anti-Vaxxers? Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. All rights reserved, Privacy Policy|Online Content Agreement, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command: Publics Help Sought in Locating Fort Hood Soldier, Vanessa Guillen: A timeline of events and everything we know about her disappearance, Reward for missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen doubles to $50,000, Vanessa Guillen: Evidence found a week before remains were located matched what witness saw at Fort Hood, Pfc. Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says, Fort Hood soldier found shot dead miles from his vehicle burning near Texas base, Army launches civilian review of Fort Hood following Vanessa Guillen's killing, Going Underground; A Look at the Tunnels Under West Fort Hood, http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/ufo/krill.papers, Vanessa Guilln was so brutally dismembered and burned that investigators COULDNT use dental records to identify her, Remains of missing soldier Vanessa Guilln identified by Army, family says, Killing of Vanessa Guilln#Persons involved, We have a problem at Fort Hood: Expert says murders of soldiers Vanessa Guillen and Gregory Morales are linked. There is no other range in the world where you have to worry about how much oxygen there is to breathe, says Gene Bauer, Fort Hood Range Manager. "They can't give answers. Its just nothing. He was reported missing by his family, who have not heard from him since Aug. 17. The Guillen family created social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to call attention to Vanessa's sexual assault allegation and disappearance. A search of Guillen's cellphone records, according to court documents, showed that one of the last persons she was in contact with was Aaron David Robinson. I feel like soldiers going missing should be a much bigger deal than what it is now. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Elder Fernandes, a 23-year-old chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, has not been heard from by his family since Sunday, prompting them to report him missing three days later, according to a statement from the Killeen Police Department on Thursday and comments made by family members to ABC News Friday. Others commented that firing or suspending officers and soldiers is not the same as charging them and righting the harm theyve allowed to take place. Jennifer Sewell, a soldier who's been missing since last Thursday. Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty Images. Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were indicted and pleaded guilty Aug. 11 and 12, respectively, in 2021. "And there's a lot more that I don't know; only Elder will be able to tell us, when we find him.". **, Press J to jump to the feed. Most notably, Guilln went missing for almost two months in the beginning of the year before her remains were found and it was declared that she had been murdered. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, Fort Hood soldiers sentenced for role in alien smuggling conspiracy, Three men admit to fatal smuggling event in Mission, Texan sentenced for transporting people in trunk, Fort Hood Soldiers Sentenced For Role In Alien Smuggling Conspiracy. Fort Hood said Fernandes' disappearance sparked a thorough search in Central Texas, with members of his base scouring hospitals and hotels. Lupe Guillen said the hashtags #FindVanessaGuillen, #IamVanessaGuillen and #WeAreVanessaGuillen have become a sounding board for other military members who say they've been victims of sex-related crimes while on duty. "We are actively searching to locate him and continue to stay in contact with his Family, friends, and law enforcement.". Venessa Guillen and Aaron Robinson were co-workers, but were located in different buildings; he was not in her line of command. Nothing about Brandon. Vanessa Guillen, who disappeared in April 2020 and was later found to have been bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory where she worked. There are a few that are worse, but not many. Wasn't that uncommon to find drug paraphernalia in equipment, dorms, work areas, etc. Meanwhile, an Army official said Army investigators have found information that Guillen was harassed, but that it was not sexual harassment, as Guillen's family has claimed, and that it did not involve alleged killer Robinson. Dawn Gomez holds her 3-year-old granddaughter, Saryia Greer, who waves at Vanessa Guillen's mural painted by Alejandro "Donkeeboy" Roman Jr. on the side of Taqueria Del Sol, July 2, 2020, in Houston. [10], US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and civilian law enforcement are investigating Guillen's disappearance. The base said in a statement on Friday that Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit at a residence in Killeen, Texas. QUANTICO, VA (June 15, 2020) - The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for credible information leading to the whereabouts of missing Fort Hood Soldier, Pfc. The body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt. Fort Hood CID. Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. Guillen was the third service member from the base to be found dead this summer. Four other soldiers who went missing are: SpcVanessa Guillen; Pvt. The body of Hernandezvargas, from Woodside,New York, was also recovered from the water after a boating incident on August 2. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Elder Fernandes went missing just days after the 11th death at Fort Hood military base. A Fort Hood soldier who authorities identified earlier Thursday as another suspect in Guillen's disappearance, E-4 Specialist Aaron David Robinson, allegedly told Aguilar that he killed a. Recruiting commanders and captains bargain with their general to even out the averages so all commands make mission. . "She was afraid to report it. All rights reserved. Tipsters are asked to contact Fort Hood military police at 254-288-1170 or U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at 254-287-2722. Elder Fernandes, 23. The discovery came on the same day Guillen's family members announced they were seeking a congressional investigation into her disappearance. Never publicized. Just google all the insane shit that happens there (that's publicly known).they have underground tunnels/bunkers. It was called after the Confederate General John Bell Hood. Her sisters said Guillen, 20, told them and fellow soldiers that she was being sexually harassed by a superior and was fearful of reporting the incident because of potential retaliation. **The conspiracy subreddit is a thinking ground. I mean we can all do that.[4], The family of Gregory Wedel-Morales says that lack of justice coupled with a lack of transparency is serious cause for concern adding that Fort Hood needs to do a better job of ensuring safety for their younger soldiers on and off post. She reported it to her friends. Aguilar faces one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. ** Gore has since been discharged from the Army. [10] The Army, League of United Latin American Citizens and Houston rapper Baby Bash have pooled together a $55,000 reward for information on Vanesssas Guillen's disappearance. Gregory Morales, was reported missing from the base a year ago on August 20, 2019. Updated on: June 3, 2016 / 10:45 PM / CBS/AP. Sewell was last seen leaving her barracks around 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Investigators with CID identified Robinson as the deceased suspect who had been accused of killing Vanessa Guillen on April 22. The Guillen family and Khawam said the deceased male suspect was a superior officer who allegedly walked in on Vanessa as she was showering, sat down and watched her. An attorney was not listed for her among online court records. In March, 20-year-old Shelby Tyler Jones also died near Fort Hood after suffering a gunshot wound in south Killeen, and Brandon Scott Rosecrans, was found dead with a gunshot wound near Fort Hood in May. When a 20-year-old soldier goes missing from one of the largest military bases in the country, her tight-knit family is determined to find her and bring her home. You get rank reduction, removed from your leadership role, & possibly moved to another unit, said one user in response to the news. But the investigation into her disappearance uncovers more than anyone bargained for - secrets, lies, and a system that failed to protect the people within it. [4], Ki Theory - 'Suspicious Minds' feat. Fort Hood is the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions with A 214,968 acre installation, according to Military.com. The suspects allegedly poured fresh concrete mix on the remains to create a "homemade body vault" where they then covered it in rocks, officials said. Last year, at least 39 Fort Hood soldiers died or went missing. We hope to challenge issues which have captured the publics imagination, from JFK and UFOs to 9/11. ABC News' Abby Cruz contributed to this report. [8] Robinson "was not in CID custody" at the time he left his post.[8]. Robinson told investigators that he only left the house once, to go back to the base to log in on a computer to enroll in training, court documents show. Fort Hood has been in the spotlight because of other missing soldiers, particularly Spc. FORT HOOD, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: III Corps and Fort Hood reports that PVT Brendan Lush has been found safe and was being returned to his unit with the assistance of law enforcement officials. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 110 Stat. [8], The partial remains at Leon River site was so brutally dismembered and burned that investigators were unable to use dental records to make any identification,[18] yet Army investigators positively identified the remains as Vanessa Guilln, says The Washington Post. There is widespread public misunderstanding of what happens when a Soldier . The 24-year-old's remains were found on June 21 in a. Despite the claims that officials are being fired for failing to prevent violence at the base, former military personnel on Twitter have concerns about how the system works. The statement also said Fernandes did not report to work Monday as scheduled. Vanessa Guilln, the Fort Hood soldier who has been missing since late April, was murdered and dismembered by a fellow soldier, a woman alleged in a criminal complaint obtained by CBS. The news was first announced by the family's. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/army-suspects-foul-play-disappearance-fort-hood-soldier-vanessa-guillen-n1231928/, https://heavy.com/news/2020/06/foul-play-suspected-after-greg-morales-found-dead/, https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/21/fort-hood-soldier-found-shot-dead-near-burning-jeep/. [11] The secret project was classified as an underground weapons storage area,[12] where weapons were stored in reinforced concrete and steel bunkers. Law enforcement, Sewells chain-of-command and her family have been unable to contact her in the time since. While I never saw anything regarding human trafficking I am intrigued by this statement: Broadway, the post spokesman, said 74 GIs had gone absent without leave since 2020 and that 53 of them had returned to duty. Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a photo released by the Killeen Police Department in Killeen, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2020. The U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas later identified Aguilar as Robinson's alleged accomplice. I was a contractor on Fort Hood from 2016-2019 and regularly traveled throughout every inch of the base more so than anyone else on that base due to the service contract I was involved with. "The unit also facilitated his transfer from a unit who has recently deployed to a different unit within the brigade to ensure he received the proper care and ensure there were no opportunities for reprisals.". All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 56, WARNING:FORT HOOD HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. An announcement made on Tuesday details that the army base is also ordering policy changes to address consistent leadership failures that fostered serious patterns of violence including murder, sexual assaults, and harassment that have now become synonymous with the Fort Hood. If I hadn't been on post at the time, wouldn't have learned about it since it never got publicized. [10] CID was looking into Robinson's interactions with Guilln. Guillen's mother said a few months before her daughter went missing, Vanessa told her she was being sexually harassed by a superior but didn't report it out of fear of retaliation. He had been reported missing on Aug. 18. Basically the military is running around cities drugging people, then running social experiments on people. Khawam later said she was told Guillen and Robinson had an argument in the armory where they worked after she discovered his alleged affair with the estranged wife of a former soldier. Commanders will be required to list service members as absent-unknown for up to 48 hours while they do everything in their power to locate them and determine if their absence is an emergency or voluntary. During a bond hearing federal prosecutor Mark Frazier told the judge that Aguilar made phone calls from jail where she told the person on the line that she had access to $5,000 to leave the country. The suspect succumbed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Family attorney Natalie Khawam said while Guillen was taking a shower, a superior came into the bathroom, sat down and watched her. Mejhor Morta, 26, of Pensacola, Florida, was found in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake around 20 minutes from Fort Hood military base inTexason July 17. A federal magistrate judge denied Cecily Aguilar bail after prosecutors revealed she expressed her desires to flee the country. The body of Spc Vanessa Guillen, 20,was found in a shallow grave near the Leon River about 20 miles east of the Fort Hood military base following her April disappearance. A number of service members have died or gone missing while stationed at the Army post just outside Killeen, Texas, in recent years, including 20-year-old Spc. When Vanessa Guillen was a little girl, she dreamed of joining the Army, her family said. In its statement, Fort Hood said there was no connection between Fernandes' disappearance and any other ongoing cases at the base. I'm surprised there isn't more that happens to the soldiers. The army has said they have no evidence of that. Fernandes' aunt told ABC News the Army hasn't provided much helpful information. That is wild. The string of deaths prompted an independent review of the climate and culture at Fort Hood, which led to the punishment of 14 senior officers. [19], Mayra Guilln, sister of Vanessa, said, "Whoever is responsible has to pay, and we demand a congressional investigation. Another Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. Texas authorities are looking into allegations that Vanessa was sexually harassed before she disappeared. "So were going to look into it very powerfully, the president said. Police said that identification found at the scene indicated the victim may be Fernandes though they were awaiting forensic confirmation and expressed condolences to his family. Investigators suspect foul play, according to Houston ABC station KTRK. LAREDO, Texas Two soldiers stationed in Texas have been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Fernandes was last seen by his staff sergeant on Monday afternoon, when he was dropped off at a residence located in the 2700 block of Woodlands Drive in Killeen, police said. "On Sunday, he spoke with his mom, promising that he will call on Monday from his phone to give us more information," said Isabel Fernandes. Sometimes these absences garner media attention but the majority of them do not. Sgt. "Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the. Results from the investigation will be released in October. Lock The Army Criminal Investigation Division has yet to independently confirm the identification. A joint investigation later confirmed Oppongagyare, Saint-Joie, Williams and Palmer each served a role in the conspiracy as drivers who would travel to locations in Texas to transport the aliens in exchange for money. Vanessa Guillen. 2300
Fort Hood investigators said on their Facebook page that they "have no credible information or report that Guillen was sexually assaulted.". Interspersed throughout the complex are rooms of various sizes that are still equipped with steel rails for overhead cranes. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Above all else, we respect everyone's opinions and ALL religious beliefs and creeds. [10] He held the rank of Specialist at the time of his death. Gabbard said she knows "personally the . An investigation into Hernandezvargas's death is currently underway. Guillen was last seen in the parking lot at Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment on the Fort Hood base, according to theUSArmy. Fort Hood is shady as fuck. Brautigam said that unit leaders have been in contact with the family daily to provide comfort and updates as they become available. All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. Posted: May 16, 2022 / 07:12 AM CDT. Officials within Vanessa Guillen's unit become aware she's missing, according to court documents. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. "We are seeking your help in locating Sgt. Construction crews carved out tunnels and blast-proof underground steel vaults. Before Guilln went missing, she told her family that she was being sexually harassed by one of her sergeants at Fort Hood, according to a website her family set up to promote the search. Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says, Vanessa Guillen: Timeline offers look at tragedy and legacy of Ft. Ninety-three of them were ultimately declared deserters, and of those, 15 remain unaccounted for. Guillens family met with President Donald Trump this month and he promised to deliver justice for the Army soldier who was killed in April. Well get to the bottom of it, and maybe things can come out that will help other people in a situation like Vanessa.. CNN The body of a missing Fort Hood soldier has been found. Why Kamala Harris Feels Optimistic About The Future Of Abortion Rights, What Abortion Rights Will Look Like in Your State, After the Uvalde Shooting, We Need Gun Control Not More Border Security, How To Help Those Affected By The Texas School Shooting. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. They are expected to spend five to 10 days on the base.[10]. Eleven soldiers have died at the Fort Hood military base this year. A locked padlock Khawam announced that the human remains discovered 20 miles from Fort Hood on June 30 were positively identified as Guillen.