What the DoD Doesn’t Want You to Know: 50 Shocking Military Homicides in the Last 30 Years (March 23, 2018)

homicide-cases

  1. Fort Carson Army Spc. Tracy Spencer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Double Rape & Murder of Army Veteran Micki Filmore & Colorado Springs Nurse Barbara Kramer (1986)
  2. Army Soldier Ronald Gray Sentenced to Death by Military Courts for Rape & Murder of Army Pvt. Laura Vickery-Clay & Civilian Kimberly Ruggles (1986)
  3. Army Pvt Rosa Martinez Murdered at Fort Dix by National Guardsman Jose Aponte After She Resisted His Sexual Advances (1987)
  4. Army Soldier Dwight Loving Robbed & Murdered Cab Driver; Sentenced to Death by Military But Commuted by President Obama, Sentenced to Life (1988)
  5. Army Soldier Erin Tynan Raped & Strangled by Fellow Fort Irwin Soldier Christopher Geier, Geier Guilty of Murder, Murder-For-Hire & Attempted Murder (1990)
  6. Air Force Sgt. Joseph Snodgrass Hired Hitmen to Kill Wife in Philippines for $400,000 Life Insurance Payout; Sentenced to Life in Prison (1991)
  7. Army Spouse Melinda Stewart, Army Sgt. Daniel Stewart, Jill Yousaf & Army Soldier James Catlin Conspired & Murdered Homeless Teen Maggie Fetty (1991)
  8. Phonthip Ott Discovered Dead in California River; Coast Guard Spouse Dennis Ott Convicted of Murder & Sentenced to Life in Prison (1992)
  9. Fort Carson Army Soldier Michael Pelkey Convicted by Military Court Martial of Murdering Wife Diane; Sentenced to Life in Prison (1993)
  10. Sgt. Bill Coffin Murdered Ex-Fiancee After Civilian Courts Issued Protective Order, Judge Alleges Army Routinely Ignores Court Orders (1997)
  11. Navy Petty Officer James Kuenn Convicted of the Cold Case Murder of Carol Hutto in Florida; Sentenced to Life, Possibility of Parole After 25 Years (2000)
  12. Air Force Capt. Frank ‘Marty’ Theer Murdered by Wife Michelle & Army SSG John Diamond in North Carolina; Both Sentenced to Life in Prison (2000)
  13. Fort Bliss Army Commander Capt. Lynn Reister Murdered by Enlisted Husband Roger & His Brother Rodney for Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (2001)
  14. Air Force SSgt Shelby Orelup Murdered by an Airman She Dated Briefly, SSgt Phillip Arindain Sentenced to Life in Prison (2003)
  15. Army Soldiers Jeremy Meyers & Christopher Baber Found Guilty of Murdering Jeremy’s Wife Jessica for the Life Insurance Policy (2003)
  16. Air Force Airman Andy Schliepsiek & Wife Jamie Stabbed to Death at Robins Air Force Base, Andrew Witt Found Guilty of First Degree Murder (2004)
  17. Marine Corps Reservist Rosendo Rodriguez III Murdered Summer Baldwin and Unborn Child; Sentenced to Death in Texas for Two Capital Murders (2005)
  18. Navy Seabee Rebecca Braswell Conspired with Fellow Navy Seabees to Kill Ex-Husband & Navy Veteran John Marmo, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2006)
  19. Army Sgt 1st Class Donald Gower Conspired & Offered to Pay Others to Murder his Estranged Wife Hidi Gower for the Life Insurance (2007)
  20. Marine LCpl Maria Lauterbach & Unborn Child were Murdered; Fellow Marine Cesar Laurean Found Guilty of Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2007)
  21. Fort Bragg Army Soldier Edgar Patino Murdered Army Specialist Megan Touma & Unborn Son After Argument, Sentenced to 16-20 Years in Prison (2008)
  22. Fort Bragg Army Nurse Lt Holley Wimunc Murdered by Marine Husband the Day After She Announced Divorce, John Wimunc Sentenced to Life in Prison (2008)
  23. Army Sgt. Christina Smith Murdered by Army Husband Richard Smith & Accomplice Matthew Kvapil, Both Fort Bragg Soldiers Sentenced to Life in Prison (2008)
  24. Marine Sgt. Jan Pietrzak & Spouse Quiana Murdered by Four Active Duty Marines (2008)
  25. Disabled Teen Judilianna Lawrence Lured on MySpace by Army Soldier; Robert Marko Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rape & Murder (2008)
  26. Army Soldier Ashley Barnes Stabbed to Death by Estranged Husband; Fort Campbell Army Soldier Khaleefa Lambert Sentenced to Life in Prison (2009)
  27. Navy Petty Officer Amanda Snell Murdered by Marine Jorge Torrez in Barracks at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia (2009)
  28. Navy Master Chief John Bench Murdered Son & Attempted to Murder Wife & Daughter in Japan, Then Killed Self in Motorcycle Crash (2009)
  29. Army Major Nidal Hasan Sentenced to Death by Military Court for Opening Fire & Killing 12 Unarmed Soldiers & 1 DoD Employee at Fort Hood, Texas (2009)
  30. Pregnant Samira Watkins Found Dead in Bayou Grande in Florida; Navy Sailor Zachary Littleton Convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life (2009)
  31. Army SSG Anton Phillips Found Stabbed to Death at FOB Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan; CID Offering $25,000 Reward for Information (2009)
  32. Air Force Reservist Travis McGraw Murdered his Wife Vanessa for the $100,000 Life Insurance Policy; Sentenced to Life, No Parole (2011)
  33. Army Soldier Sgt. Brandy Fonteneaux Found Murdered in Fort Carson Barracks; Sgt. Vincinte Jackson Sentenced to Life, No Parole (2012)
  34. Air Force A1C James Thomas Sentenced to 32 Years for Murder of SrA Clinton Reeves (2012)
  35. Marine Corps Spouse Brittany Killgore Held Captive, Tortured, Raped, and Murdered After Refusing Sex; 3 BDSM Cult Members Sentenced to Life (2012)
  36. Robert Chiaravalotti, US Army, Sentenced to Life Without Parole by Military Judge After Killing Wife & Raping Step Daughter (2012)
  37. Army Soldier Kimberly Walker Murdered in Colorado Hotel Room by her Boyfriend Army Soldier Montrell Mayo After Valentine’s Day Quarrel (2013)
  38. Baby Found Dead on Side of Highway; Air Force SrA Matthew Theurer Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison (2013)
  39. Marine Nathaniel Cosby Convicted of the Second Degree Murder of Ivanice Harris in Hawaii; Sentenced to Life in Prison by Military Courts (2013)
  40. Army Spouse Dana Mackay Found Murdered in Virginia Home; SSG John Mackay, Nicole Houchin, Nace Houchin, & Greg Crawford Confessed to Crime (2013)
  41. Army Soldier Jeremiah Hill Convicted in Fatal Stabbing of Fellow Soldier Tevin Geike in 2013, Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
  42. Navy PO 2nd Class Dmitry Chepusov Found Strangled to Death in Germany; Air Force SSgt Sean Oliver Found Guilty, Sentenced to Life (2013)
  43. Nathaniel Ulroan, US Army, Gets Life in Death of Son (2014)
  44. Camp Pendleton Marine Christopher Lee Convicted of Pre-Meditated Murder of Pregnant Lover Erin Corwin; Sentenced to Life in Prison (2014)
  45. Danielle Nemetz was Shot and Killed; Army Soldier and Spouse Skylar Nemetz Convicted of Manslaughter and Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison (2014)
  46. Marine Joseph Pemberton Found Guilty by Philippines Court for Murder of Filipina Sex Worker Jennifer Laude; Sentenced to 6-12 Years (2014)
  47. Fort Meade Army Soldier Caleb Barnes Stabbed Cheryl Silvonek to Death; Plead Guilty to First Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2015)
  48. Army Soldier Joseph Kimsey & Jonathon Nelson Found Guilty of Murdering Ashley Melnyczok; Both Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole (2015)
  49. Air Force SSgt Steven Williams Pleaded No Contest to the Second Degree Murder of his USAF Veteran Ex-Wife Tricia Todd in Florida (2016)
  50. Fort Carson Army Soldier Branden Harms Pleaded Guilty to Child Abuse Resulting in Death; Faced 40-48 Years in Prison at Sentencing (2016)

Fort Carson Army Soldier Branden Harms Pleaded Guilty to Child Abuse Resulting in Death; Faced 40-48 Years in Prison at Sentencing (2016)

Screen Shot 2017-07-01 at 1.42.23 PM

Branden Harms, US Army

Fort Carson soldier Branden Harms, 28, admitted to raising his hand against 4-month-old Ava Bermudez inflicting injuries severe enough to kill her on April 18, 2016. Harms was entrusted to care for his girlfriend’s newborn daughter. Investigators say the injuries were inflicted while the child’s mother, also his live-in girlfriend, Jessica Bermudez, went out with a friend. Harms was arrested by the Fountain Police on April 19, 2016. Branden Harms pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and also admitted to withholding medical care. He faced 40-48 years in prison at sentencing on May 16, 2017.

Taking a deep breath in court, Harms described how he “almost saw black” and then began to “excessively spank her. Sometime after that, I began to choke her,” he said. “Further after that, when I was putting her in her crib, I wasn’t gentle.” The former soldier suggested that he threw the girl into her crib with enough force to split its wooden bottom, sending the infant to the floor beneath. “After that,” he added, “I kind of snapped to, and it was too late.” –Colorado Gazette

Related Links:
Fountain man accused of murdering 4-month-old baby
Arrest made following death of 4-month-old
Fort Carson soldier arrested for death of 4-month-old
Fort Carson soldier charged in death of 4-month-old girl
Fort Carson soldier charged in death of 4-month-old girl
Fort Carson infantry scout jailed in connection with child’s death
New Information About Man Arrested For 4-Month-Old’s Death
Soldier to face trial in beating death of 4-month-old girl in Fountain
Fort Carson soldier acknowledges killing infant girl
Fort Carson soldier acknowledges killing infant girl
Ex-Fort Carson soldier admits to baby’s fatal injuries
Former Fort Carson soldier, Branden Harms, acknowledges killing infant girl
Man accused of killing infant pleads guilty
Violent Crime, Suicide and Non Combat Death at Fort Carson, Colorado (US Army)

Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Carson, Colorado (US Army)

Fort Carson, Colorado

***RESEARCH NOT COMPLETE***

Fort Carson prepares trained and ready expeditionary forces for deployment in support of Combatant Commander requirements, provides first class support to Soldiers and families, and enables unified action with community, state, and interagency partners for the greater good of our Soldiers and their mission.

Roman Alred, US Army (2016): One of Four Soldiers Charged with First-degree Burglary, Felony Menacing, and Child Abuse

Andrew Byers, US Army (2016): Combat Death, Engaging Enemy Forces

Ryan Gloyer, US Army (2016): Combat Death, Engaging Enemy Forces

Mykal Hall, US Army (2016): One of Four Soldiers Charged with First-degree Burglary, Felony Menacing, and Child Abuse

Branden Harms, US Army (2016): Plead Guilty to Death of 4 Month Old Infant 

Dustin Mincy, US Army (2016): One of Four Soldiers Charged with First-degree Burglary, Felony Menacing, and Child Abuse

Aaron Perry, US Army (2016): One of Four Soldiers Charged with First-degree Burglary, Felony Menacing, and Child Abuse

Adam Thomas, US Army (2016): Died of Injuries Caused by IED

Christopher Wilbur, US Army (2016): Non Combat Death, Afghanistan

Benjamin Cardwell, US Army (2015): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property

Todd Crow, US Army Veteran (2015)Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property

Monterrious Daniel, US Army (2015): Non Combat Related Incident, Kuwait

Johnny Herrera, US Army (2015): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property

Justin Holt, US Army (2015): Died After Stryker Vehicle Rollover in Training Area

Joseph Kimsey, US Army (2015): Sentenced to Life without Parole for Homicide of Ashley Melnyczok

Ashley Melnyczok, Civilian (2015): Homicide Victim of Boyfriend Joseph Kimsey

Ashley Pullen, US Army Veteran (2015): Serial Rapist, Sentenced to Life in Prison

Noel Acevedo-Mercado, US Army (2014): Accused of Raping Teenager with John Donathan; Disposition Unknown

John Donathan, US Army (2014): Accused of Raping Teenager with Noel Acevedo-Mercado; Died Before Trial

Jeffrey Page, US Army (2014): Homicide of Army Spc. Adrian Perkins in Jordan

Benjamin Prange, US Army (2014): Died from Wounds Suffered in IED Attack, Afghanistan

Keith Williams, US Army (2014): Died from Wounds Suffered in IED Attack, Afghanistan

Deangelo Brown, US Army (2013): Homicide Victim; Larry Spencer, Jr. Sentenced to Life, No Parole

Jonathan Clark III, US Army (2013): Suicide by Cop; PTSD, Deployed 3 Times

David Dunlap, US Army (2013): Homicide Victim; Macyo Joelle Sentenced to Life, Parole After 40 Years

Whitney Butler Dunlap, US Army Spouse (2013): Pregnant; Homicide Victim; Macyo Joelle Sentenced to Life, Parole After 40 Years

Joseph Garcia, US Army (2013): Two Counts of Sexual Assault on Child by a Person in Position of Trust; Sentenced to 30 Years Minimum

Saul Lucas, US Army (2013): Accused of Four Counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, First Degree Burglary, Third-degree assault; Disposition Unknown

Montrell Mayo, US Army (2013): Homicide of Girlfriend & Army Soldier Kimberly Walker; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole

Mark Petrosky, US Army (2013): Accused of Child Sexual Assault
Soldier Arrested On Charge Of Sex Assault On Child
Fort Carson soldier arrested in sex assault on 14-year-old
Soldier Arrested At Colorado Army Base On Sex Charge
Private at U.S. Army base in Colorado base arrested on sex charge
Soldier at Colorado army base accused of sex with 14-year-old girl

Patrick Quinn, US Army (2013): Afghanistan-Injuries Caused by Small-Arms Fire

Richard Sheltra, US Army (2013): Child Sexual Assault
Soldier pleads guilty, gets 10 years for having sex with 13-year-old girl

Kimberly Walker, US Army (2013): Homicide Victim

Eric Bartholomew, US Army (2012):
John Burrell second soldier busted in Virgil Means killing near motorcycle club
Third Arrest In Motorcycle Club Murder
Killing at Colorado Springs biker clubhouse leads to 21-year sentence
Colorado soldier gets 21 years in fatal shooting

John Burrell, US Army (2012)
John Burrell second soldier busted in Virgil Means killing near motorcycle club
Third Arrest In Motorcycle Club Murder
Killing at Colorado Springs biker clubhouse leads to 21-year sentence
Colorado soldier gets 21 years in fatal shooting

Kevin Corley, US Army (2012)
Murder-for-hire sting nabs soldier, ex-Army officer
Ex-Carson soldier pleads guilty in murder-for-hire
Former U.S. Army Officer Hitman Sentenced in Murder-for-Hire Plot

John Dupree, US Army (2012): Accused of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence
Soldier Arrested For Alleged Sexual Assault
Fort Carson soldier arrested on local sexual assault, domestic violence charges

Calvin Epps, US Army (2012)
Murder-for-hire sting nabs soldier, ex-Army officer
Verdict Returned Against Two Remaining Defendants in Murder-for-Hire and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Former Army soldier sentenced for murder-for-hire and gun possession

Brandy Fonteneaux, US Army (2012): Homicide Victim

Vincinte Jackson, US Army (2012): Homicide of Female Army Soldier

Aaron Lucas, US Army (2012): Indecent Exposure, Kidnapping, Child Rape

Christopher Mountjoy, US Army (2012)
John Burrell second soldier busted in Virgil Means killing near motorcycle club
Third Arrest In Motorcycle Club Murder
Killing at Colorado Springs biker clubhouse leads to 21-year sentence
Colorado soldier gets 21 years in fatal shooting

Stephen Payne, US Army (2012): Accused of Assault, False Imprisonment
Suspect Shot By Fountain Police Is Active Duty Soldier
Police Cleared In Wounding Of Fort Carson Soldier

Samuel Walker, US Army (2012)
Murder-for-hire sting nabs soldier, ex-Army officer
Verdict Returned Against Two Remaining Defendants in Murder-for-Hire and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Former Army soldier sentenced for murder-for-hire and gun possession

Stephanie Charboneau, US Army (2010): Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery
Army Soldier and Civilian Sentenced on Bribery Charges for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan
Army Soldier Sentenced on Bribery Charges for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan

Thaddeus Montgomery II, US Army (2010): Non Combat Death

Christopher Weaver, US Army (2010): Bribery, Facilitating Theft of Fuel
Army Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Facilitating Theft of Fuel in Afghanistan
Former Fort Carson soldier sentenced in $1M fuel theft from US military
Army Soldier and Civilian Sentenced on Bribery Charges for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan
Army Soldier Sentenced in Kentucky on Bribery Charges for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan

Roy Mason, US Army (2009): Suicide
Missing Fort Carson Soldier Found Dead
Memorial grows at spot of soldier’s suicide
Soldier who killed himself in Santa Cruz was part of troubled Army unit

Jose Barco, US Army (2008)
Fort Carson soldiers’ killing spree after Iraq combat
Ex-soldier who wounded pregnant woman sentenced to 52 years
Three stories from FRONTLINE’s The Wounded Platoon

Jomar Falu-Vives, US Army (2008)
2 Fort Carson soldiers arrested in double homicide
Army soldier gets 12 years
Ft. Carson GI sentenced as accessory to 2 murders

Judilianna Lawrence, Civilian (2008): Rape/Homicide Victim

Courtney Lockhart, US Army (2008)
PTSD: How the U.S. Army Failed Veteran Courtney Lockhart
Combat experience is factor in death penalty cases, experts say
How Did a Lifelong Prison Sentence for an Iraq Vet Turn Into an Imminent Death Sentence?

Robert Marko, US Army (2008): Rape/Homicide of 19 yo Civilian

John Needham, US Army (2008): Accused of Homicide, Overdosed Awaiting Trial

Rodolfo Torres-Gandarilla, US Army (2008)
2 Fort Carson soldiers arrested in double homicide
Army soldier gets 12 years
Ft. Carson GI sentenced as accessory to 2 murders

Jacqwelyn Villagomez, Civilian (2008): Homicide Victim

Bruce Bastien, US Army (2007): Accessory to Murder of Pfc. Robert James & Spc. Kevin Shields

Louis Bressler, US Army (2007): Accessory to Murder of Pfc. Robert James & Spc. Kevin Shields; Aggravated Robbery & Stabbing of Erica Hamm

Kenneth Eastridge, US Army (2007): Accessory to Murder of Spc. Kevin Shields

Robert James, US Army (2007): Homicide Victim

Kevin Shields, US Army (2007): Homicide Victim

Olin Ferrier, US Army (2007)
Carson soldier accused in slaying
War Stresses Linked to Soldiers’ Crimes
New Details On Pueblo Cab Driver Death Investigation
Intense combat tied to homicides by Ft. Carson GIs

Reggie Martinez, US Army (2004)
U.S. Soldiers Charged in Iraqi Drowning Death
Soldiers charged with manslaughter in Iraqi’s drowning death
Soldier in Iraqi drowning case blames commanders
GIs Deny Drowning Iraqi

Tracy Perkins, US Army (2004)
U.S. Soldiers Charged in Iraqi Drowning Death
Soldiers charged with manslaughter in Iraqi’s drowning death
Soldier in Iraqi drowning case blames commanders
GIs Deny Drowning Iraqi

Jack Saville, US Army (2004)
U.S. Soldiers Charged in Iraqi Drowning Death
Soldiers charged with manslaughter in Iraqi’s drowning death
Soldier in Iraqi drowning case blames commanders
GIs Deny Drowning Iraqi

James Neal, US Army Veteran (1996): Homicide of Spouse

Kevin Gooley, Civilan (1994): Homicide of Brandin Penza

Brandin Penza, US Army Veteran (1994): Homicide Victim

Michael Pelkey, US Army (1993): Homicide of Spouse

James Catlin, US Army (1991): Homicide of Maggie Fetty

Leroy Davis, US Army (1991): Homicide of Christopher Walton, US Army

Maggie Fetty, Civilian (1991): Homicide Victim by Army Soldier

Daniel Stewart, US Army (1991): Homicide of Maggie Fetty

Christopher Walton, US Army (1991): Homicide Victim

Jennifer Reali, US Army Spouse (1990): Homicide of Diane Hood

Darlene Krashoc, US Army (1987): Unsolved Rape & Homicide; $10,000 Reward

Micki Filmore, US Army Veteran (1986): Rape and Homicide Victim

Barbara Kramer, Civilian (1986): Rape and Homicide Victim

Tracy Spencer, US Army (1986): Homicide of Micki Filmore & Barbara Kramer

Nolly Depadua, US Army (1985): Homicide of Lourdes Riddles, USAF Spouse

Brian Hawkins, US Army (1985): Accessory to Homicide

Lourdes Riddle, US Air Force Spouse (1985): Homicide Victim

Ronnie Ball, US Air Force (1979): Homicide, Temporary Insanity

Michael Faast, Civilian (1979): Homicide Victim

Estevan Maestas, Civilian (1978): Detonated Stolen Fort Carson Grenade

Dennis Taylor, US Army (Year Unknown): Attempted Homicide

Related Links:
The Wounded Platoon, Frontline PBS, 2010 [Video]
Violence and the Military
Deadly duty for Fort Carson
17 Fort Carson Soldiers Charged in Domestic Killings
Fort Carson soldiers’ killing spree after Iraq combat
“All I Know How to do Is Kill People”
Intense combat tied to homicides by Ft. Carson GIs
Fort Carson report: Combat stress contributed to soldiers’ crimes back home
Army: Investigation of Homocides at Fort Carson, Colorado (Nov 2008 – May 2009)
A History of Shootings at Military Installations in the U.S.
Soldiers suspected in Colorado slayings
Army to Probe Five Slayings Linked to Colorado Brigade
Fort Carson Gets a Black Eye for Its Treatment of These Green Berets
9 years after leaving Army, veteran mistakenly declared AWOL is arrested, jailed
Three stories from FRONTLINE’s The Wounded Platoon (David Nash)
Human Cost of Combat Can Come Due at Home