Fort Cavazos Named “Most Crime-Ridden Post” by Stars and Stripes
It appears that off-post crime involving Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood) has gone underreported for quite some time, but now a number of servicemembers will find themselves in hot water. Stars and Stripes has named the Fort Cavazos the Army’s most crime-ridden post.
An assessment was conducted of crime statistics and found that Fort Cavazos has a 30% higher average of violent felonies compared to Fort Bragg and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. These crimes included:
Fort Cavazos has seen an average of 33 soldiers killed per year over the last five years. The data and other information being gathered points toward the problem stemming from the culture fostered on the installation.
Crimes we know about
This year alone had 28 deaths as of August, all but one of which were soldiers under the age of 24, and young civilians who appear to be collateral damage. Most of these crimes were committed by other young soldiers.
Just some of the violent deaths from this year include:
- Elder Fernandes, a victim of abusive sexual contact, went missing amidst an investigation into the allegations he reported and for which he was receiving treatment. He was later found deceased. His death was labeled as a suicide by hanging despite the belief he may have been murdered.
- Vanessa Guillen was bludgeoned to death in an arms room on post by Spc. Aaron Robinson after she made allegations of him sexually harassing her. He recruited his girlfriend to help him bury her body in a secluded area approximately 20 miles off post. Robinson committed suicide after her body was discovered.
- Shelby Jones was shot and killed outside a strip club in Killeen. There were 15 people classified as involved or as being witnesses to the crime. The grand jury failed to indict the suspect leaving the police department no choice but to administratively close the case for now.
- SPC Freddy Beningo Delacruz Jr., Asia Cline (Delacruz’s pregnant girlfriend) and Shaquan Markell Allred were killed. Allred had separated from the military in January 2020. All three victims were killed by 21-year-old Barnard L. Morrow, who purchased the gun from another soldier and frequented the apartment where the victims were shot and was described as violent. Morrow will stand trial for capital murder.
- Michael Wardrobe, who also separated from the military in January 2020 was shot and killed by Jovino Jamel Roy when the pair engaged in a fight over an affair between Wardrobe and Roy’s wife. Roy was charged with murder.
- Gregory Wedel-Morales’ remains were accidentally discovered in a field during the search for Vanessa Guillen. He had been missing since August 2019 just as he was preparing to separate from the military after being critical of Army officials. The case is under investigation.
- Brandon Rosecrans was murdered off post by a civilian in May over an apparent argument over a gun sale. He was shot in his sleep, his body left on the side of the road and his burned out jeep was found miles away.
Staying silent may not be your safest option
If you report a crime you may face consequences in your career, but failure to report that crime may carry even more serious consequences. Depending upon the information you have and your involvement, failing to report could:
- Result in an eventual dishonorable discharge
- Cost you military benefits you otherwise would have had the right to maintain
- Force you to take a reduction in rank and pay
- Land you in prison for an extended period of time
- Subject you to lifelong employment problems
- Hinder your ability to raise your children
If you are a civilian, almost none of these consequences would apply – but you could still face charges for obstruction or false testimony in a non-military court setting.
The best advice you can follow is that if you’ve seen a crime committed, or you have first-hand knowledge of facts or details of a crime that was committed or is about to occur, hire a Killeen criminal defense attorney before you speak to anyone. You need legal guidance to truly understand your options and potential consequences so you can be prepared.
Mary Beth Harrell Criminal Defense and DWI Lawyers is proud to support civilians and servicemembers. To schedule a consultation in our Killeen or Copperas Cove office, call us today at 254-312-2523, or we invite you to visit our contact page.
I’ve dedicated my legal career to defending my clients. I demand all the evidence. I investigate all the facts, the so-called witnesses and even the police officers. I make it my business to know the law. Cases can be won or lost before you even set foot inside the courtroom.
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