Texas woman pleads guilty to murder of Vanessa Gillan

A woman who allegedly helped hide the body of ex-Vanessa Galen. After his death at Fort Hood A US military expert has pleaded guilty to various charges in connection with the Justice Department’s disappearance. announced on Tuesday.

Cecily Aguilar, 24, of Killeen, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation or making a false statement in order to commit murder, the DOJ said, adding that she faces a maximum of 30 years in prison with three additional counts. Faces more potential punishment. years of supervised release plus a $1 million fine. A federal district court judge will review U.S. sentencing guidelines and laws to determine any sentence for Aguilar, which is expected at a sentencing hearing that has not yet been scheduled.

“Cicely Aguilar’s guilty plea today is another step toward justice for Vanessa, my client and her courageous family,” Natalie Khawam, the attorney representing the Gallen family, said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

Gallen was found dead on the base of Fort Hood – which has some notorious ones. Highest homicide rate, Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Military — Summer 2020. A fellow soldier and specialist, Aaron Robinson, is suspected of killing her before later committing suicide, authorities said at the time. Aguilar, a second suspect identified as the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier, was also arrested in connection with Galen’s death.

Citing court documents, the DOJ said Aguilar assisted Robinson between April 22 and July 1, 2020, in “corruptly altering, destroying, vandalizing and concealing evidence — namely, the body of Vanessa Galen — in order to Robinson could avoid being indicted and prosecuted for any crime.” The documents allege that Aguilar altered and destroyed information stored in a Google account belonging to Robinson, and also accuses him of making four materially false statements to federal investigators, according to the Justice Department.

Next year in April 2021, the US Army Issued a report That shows how officers ignored complaints of sexual harassment by Galen, leading to 21 soldiers either being relieved of duty altogether or dismissed. I was reprimanded for their part. Then the Guillén family Filed a case Seeking $35 million in damages from the US government based on sexual harassment, abuse, assault, rape, sexual assault and wrongful death.

Fresh Netflix Documentary The title “I Am Vanessa Gillan” shed light on the case.