The officials who have been let go include Major General Scott Efflandt, who was in charge of the base earlier this year when Vanessa Guilln was killed, in addition to Major General Jeffery Broadwater, the commander of the 1st Cavalry Divisions. When Vanessa Guillen was a little girl, she dreamed of joining the Army, her family said. Who Knew? Elder Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit on Aug. 17. Fort Hood is shady as fuck. McCarthy has also ordered a new Army policy that will amend how officials deal with missing soldiers. [19], Mayra Guilln, sister of Vanessa, said, "Whoever is responsible has to pay, and we demand a congressional investigation. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. An official website of the United States government. Khawam said the body was found hanging in a tree, and that a backpack on the scene had Fernandes' driver's license inside. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. If I hadn't been on post at the time, wouldn't have learned about it since it never got publicized. Authorities in Texas are searching for another missing Fort Hood soldier amid a tumultuous period for the base that's included multiple service members turning up dead. Fernandes' aunt told ABC News the Army hasn't provided much helpful information. Fort Hood is located halfway between Austin and Waco and is about 60 miles from each city. Fax Line: 713-718-3300. He had been reported missing on Aug. 18. ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. 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. "And I am really sorry that I was not able to provide them the information sufficient to reduce their suffering," Major Gen. Scott Efflandt, deputy commanding general of III Corps at Fort Hood, said at a news conference. On Wednesday, his mother traveled from her home in Boston to Texas to search for her son. The body of missing Fort Hood soldier Elder Fernandes was found on Tuesday night, more than one week after the 23-year-old sergeant was last seen. **Our intentions are aimed towards a fairer, more transparent world and a better future for everyone. The base said in a statement on Friday that Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit at a residence in Killeen, Texas. Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a photo released by the Killeen Police Department in Killeen, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2020. 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/. Mejhor Morta, 26, was found unresponsive in the vicinity of Stillhouse Lake, according to Army officials, The body of Pvt Gregory Scott Morales, 24, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was found Friday in a field after officials at nearby Fort Hood received a tip, Fort Hood officials said Spc Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas' body was recovered after a boating accident, Vanessa Guillen's mom is seen here with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Reuters), Pfc. Human remains discovered near Fort Hood were subsequently identified as Guillen, Khawam said. Law enforcement, Sewells chain-of-command and her family have been unable to contact her in the time since. [1], McQueen reportedly planned "sex parties" for high-ranking officers at Fort Hood and recruited subordinate female soldiers to the fledgling prostitution ring. **The conspiracy subreddit is a thinking ground. The discovery came on the same day Guillen's family members announced they were seeking a congressional investigation into her disappearance. Sgt. "He came and told me 'yes,' but not to worry about it because he's taking care of it," Elton said. Ninety-three of them were ultimately declared deserters, and of those, 15 remain unaccounted for. I also wish to contest that they arent meeting quotas. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. FORT HOOD, Texas -- Recovery teams have located the bodies of four Army soldiers who went missing when their truck overturned in a fast-flowing . Five were murdered. Can confirm, barriers to entry are lower. 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. His family also traveled from Massachusetts to Texas to help look for him. Discovery Company. Above all else, we respect everyone's opinions and ALL religious beliefs and creeds. You dont hear anything about Greg. 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. [14] The underground complex is one of only seven storage facilities in the U.S.[15][13], Pvt. Gore has since been discharged from the Army. Fort Hood investigators said on their Facebook page that they "have no credible information or report that Guillen was sexually assaulted.". Vanessa Guillen was last seen in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters for 3rd Cavalry Regiment, The president offered to personally help pay for Guillen's funeral, Trump reportedly told Guillen's family he supported the congressional bill titled #IAmVanessaGuillen. Vanessa Guillen were discovered in a shallow grave near the Leon River in rural Bell County. Fernandes also had a new apartment waiting to be moved into with rent and utilities paid, but he never picked up the key, according to his aunt and mother. Elder Fernandes, who was found hanging from a tree over the summer, as well as Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, a 24-year-old soldier who drowned near the base. Abram Salas II, 21, did not report for . A lock ( 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. All Rights Reserved. But some families havent been able to confirm the bodies of our loved ones, leaving us to believe that Aaron David Robinson has been kidnapped. Last month, Khawam and the Guillen family introduced the #IAmVanessaGuillen bill, which would allow active duty service members to file claims of sexual harassment and assault to an outside third party. [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. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread. Federal prosecutors have saidGuillens body, found in July, was mutilated and burnedbefore it was placed in three different holes after she was bludgeoned to death. [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. ANOTHER Fort Hood soldier has gone missing as the base has been rocked by numerous deaths over the past year. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Army officials at Fort Hood issued a missing soldier alert Thursday night for Sgt. [11] The secret project was classified as an underground weapons storage area,[12] where weapons were stored in reinforced concrete and steel bunkers. Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says, Vanessa Guillen: Timeline offers look at tragedy and legacy of Ft. Sometimes these absences garner media attention but the majority of them do not. They said there was no indication of foul play. 2nd Class Gregory Wedel-Morales went missing in 2019 while driving in Killeen, Texas. They first reached out Aug. 11, when Fernandes was admitted to the hospital, he added. Have a question about Government Services? It was called after the Confederate General John Bell Hood. Investigators then found unidentified human remains about 20 miles away from the base, near the area investigators previously checked, according to court documents. In late June, the partial remains of missing 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier Pfc. "And there's a lot more that I don't know; only Elder will be able to tell us, when we find him.". Robinson's cellphone records corroborated Aguilar's story and placed the pair along the Leon River, according to court documents. [21], Fox 44 reached out to Fort Hoods Public Affairs office to get an update on their current investigations involving the deaths of the soldiers and received no response. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a poster released by Fort Hood in Texas on Aug. 20, 2020. Army Names Independent Panel In Fort Hood Review, Following Vanessa Guillen Killing. Her family says she was the target of sexual harassment. Another Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. The body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt. She reported it to her family. Gregory Wedel-Morales, 23, who had been missing since August of 2019, was found in . Add to that, Killeen is basically a crime-ridden ghetto surrounding the post. Apparently, Giving Money To People Reduces Poverty & Hunger. That is crazy. Robinson then drove Aguilar to the Leon River, where he opened the box to reveal Guillen's body, court records show. Basically the military is running around cities drugging people, then running social experiments on people. Aguilar faces one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Multiple deaths of young US soldiers at Fort Hood,[4] has shed light on a sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas. At the time of arrest, both men were wearing their U.S. Army uniforms. 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. A Texas man, Brandon Michael Olivares, was recently arrested and charged for Rosecrans' murder. [13], 2-foot-thick concrete walls are dug nearly 1,000 feet into the hillside. In 2016, 221 Fort Hood Soldiers went absent without leave. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "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. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. 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. 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. Aguilar is interviewed twice by investigators. Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, said last week that Fernandes had previously transferred units after reporting sexual abuse, and that an investigation into the allegation remained open. The body of Pvt. Initial investigation appears that Sewell left for unknown reasons on her own accord, the statement said, noting she does not own a vehicle. 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. [2], In McQueens statementhe knew a man who would attend a party and have sex and that he believed [they] could make money there and a lot of it. He added, We specifically talked about swinger parties, stripper parties.[3], Part of the Killeen, Texas sex trafficking scandal, Subterranean training at West Fort Hood, 2014 in Night Vision. Never publicized. His car was also found burned nearby. Soldiers were assaulted, beaten, robbed. The sergeant has not yet been identified. The body of Hernandezvargas, from Woodside,New York, was also recovered from the water after a boating incident on August 2. "Our worst nightmare has happened," Khawam said. All of this is expected to trigger further investigations, which could lead to additional punishments for those found responsible. . People were showing up for P.T. Specialist Aaron David Robinson, Gregory Wedel-Morales, Private Mejhor Morta, Specialist Francisco Gilberto Hernandez-Vargas, Private First Class Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Private First Class Freddy Delacruz Jr, Specialist Christopher Wayne Sawyer and Specialist Shelby Tyler Jones were all found dead at Fort Hood this year. ET) October 7, according to a statement by the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services (DES), which said she failed to report to work that day. His family members have publicly questioned the base's narrative that he left on his own volition. [8], On June 30,[8] at about 1:00 pm, contractors working on a fence near the Leon River discover partial human remains and notified law enforcement. Recruiting commanders and captains bargain with their general to even out the averages so all commands make mission. "She was afraid to report it. On June 30, Robinson went missing from his Fort Hood post. All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty Images. Pfc. After a year of record violence at Fort Hood in 2020, army leaders have announced that they are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at the base. According to Khawam, Fernandes was sexually assaulted by his sergeant, then "bullied and hazed for reporting it.". 2023 Cable News Network. Jennifer Sewell, a soldier who's been missing since last Thursday. Pvt. 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. Thirteen killed themselves. 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. Killeen Police Department and Harker Heights PD have confirmed pending investigations involving up to seven soldiers who were brutally murdered from 2019 to 2020.[4]. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. Attorneys Brian Bajew and Mark Hicks prosecuted the case. She said she went on base with police and found his only known car still parked there. Subterranean tunnelling into the mountainside continued into 1961. 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. Missing Fort Hood soldier found by: Allison Fox O'Connor. Investigators with CID talked to two witnesses who allegedly saw Robinson on April 22 leaving his work area with a large box that appeared "very heavy in weight," and place that box in his car before driving away, according to court documents. Army Pfc. 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. [20], Spc. Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde in West Africa, joined the Army in Sept. 2016. Investigators began to search near the Leon River, more than 20 miles away from Fort Hood. I'm surprised there isn't more that happens to the soldiers. Ft Hood is the largest military base IN THE WORLD. "Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the. "[10], In response, the US Army called for a panel of four civilian consultants to review the "command climate and culture" at Fort Hood in Texas, in the wake of the killing of Spc. Freddy Delacruz with Chuck Norris in 2019. Houston, TX 77002, Houston: 713-567-9000 The news was first announced by the family's. A Warner Bros. A locked padlock by: Allison . The Guillen family created social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to call attention to Vanessa's sexual assault allegation and disappearance. The criminal complaint released later Thursday said the civilian arrested in the Guillen case is Cecily Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood. ABC News . All rights reserved. Fernandes who is originally from Massachusetts is a Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear specialist at Fort Hood. 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. Brautigam also confirmed that Fernandes was hospitalized from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, the day he went missing. Officials at Fort Hood, Texas, said Sunday that a soldier who had disappeared from the base was found safe with her family. Two more who had separated. Is a lawyer and publicity to beat the army up to get answers? Anyone with information about where she might be is asked to contact Fort Hood Military Police. 2. Eleven of the deaths remain unresolvedsome. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Im former military. Trump, who met withGuillensmom, dad, two sisters, and family lawyer in theOval Office, said: Well get to the bottom of it.. That is wild. On July 30, Pea wrote a social media post saying there would be an active shooter at the base, according to an affidavit obtained by KXAN. Milley raised concerns that warning signs of serious trouble may have been missed. Abram Salas II, 21, who was the focus of a search that started after he failed to report for duty on June 23, returned to his unit on Saturday, Fort Hood confirmed Tuesday in a press release . on Aug. 17 and did not report to work the following day as scheduled. The Commander at Fort Hood, Lt. General Pat White, will not face any administrative action. The Houston native graduated Csar E. Chavez High School in 2018 and shortly thereafter enlisted, becoming a private first class who worked to repair small arms and artillery while serving with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. When a Soldier Goes Missing. 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. "I guess the police is helping, but the Army's not so much," she said. hide caption. Have you had any close calls or times when you had to nope the fuck out of there? Ive only recently seen all this stuff and I thought it was really weird that its all happening at Fort Hood. Mario Eloy Peafrom Texas has been released on bond after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at Fort Hood to avenge Guillen's murder. Sgt. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Fort Hood said Fernandes' disappearance sparked a thorough search in Central Texas, with members of his base scouring hospitals and hotels. 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, who disappeared in April 2020 and was later found to have been bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory where she worked. [10] CID was looking into Robinson's interactions with Guilln. Anyone with information on Fernandes is urged to contact the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-288-1170, U.S. Army CID at 254-287-2722, or the Killeen Police Department at 254-200-7905. Should Wealthy Countries Give COVID Booster Shots When Other Countries Still Dont Have Vaccines. 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. [13], Vanessa Guilln, missing since 22 April 2020, Although praised by officials,[13] unique facilities like Killeen Base/West Fort Hood enables clandestine activities, as indicated by other reports as early as 1979. After Guillen's disappearance, her Army ID, bank card and two sets of keys were found by investigators inside a workshop where she worked. A federal magistrate judge denied Cecily Aguilar bail after prosecutors revealed she expressed her desires to flee the country. [16] The remains were found in a shallow grave, and search operations were suspended pending identification, said Texas EquuSearch. 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. Im at a dead end and cant find anything, Ft Hood Body Count: can't top Fort Bragg Body Count, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/136750/suicide-real-major-concern-fort-bragg-and-nation, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/27/us/rash-of-wife-killings-at-ft-bragg-leaves-the-base-wondering-why.html. Warning: Tampering with sensitive contents on this page may constitute a violation of law, and may be subject to world-wide-web service disconnect. It is unclear exactly how many Ford Hood soldiers have gone missing, but the most recent soldier to go missing is Elder Fernandes. Interspersed throughout the complex are rooms of various sizes that are still equipped with steel rails for overhead cranes. [12] The training in this facility is unlike any other facility. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy is set to visit the base to engage with local civilian and military leadership. McCarthy told reporters at the Pentagon that he was disappointed in the commanders at Fort Hood and that without leadership, systems dont matter.. "I have long advocated for real reforms for them to report these incidents outside the chain of command," Gabbard added. Four other soldiers who went missing are: SpcVanessa Guillen; Pvt. New Climate Change Report Confirms: Everythings Terrible, But Maybe Not Hopeless. Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. The Fernandes family has retained an attorney, Natalie Khawam, who's also the attorney for the family of Vanessa Guillen, 20, who went missing from Fort Hood in late April and whose remains were discovered near the base months later. The base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces. 110 Stat. When the bodies start piling up, the situation cannot be ignored. 21 of them unaccounted for? On June 19, skeletal remains found near Fort Hood, following an anonymous tip, were later identified as Pvt. He has not been seen or heard from family members since Monday, August 17, according to the Killeen Police Department. [10], US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and civilian law enforcement are investigating Guillen's disappearance. Will It Matter To Anti-Vaxxers? Since the beginning of the year, there have been 12 Fort Hood soldiers who have vanished, died, or, in one case, turned up dead after going missing last year. What wouldn't have been allowed five years ago, test scores and criminal records, is now rec'g waivers and being admitted. Aguilar, 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence for helping dispose of Vanessa Guillen's body, authorities said. The consultants' names have not yet been made public. Also theres a huge prison right next to it. [20] Robinson was a combat engineer assigned to A Troop, Engineer Squadron. The CID and The League of United Latin American Citizens increased the reward for credible information leading to Vanessa Guillen's whereabouts to $50,000 -- $25,000 from each organization. Prior to this year, there were 38 deaths at Fort Hood in 2019, including 17 deaths by suicide; in 2018, there were a total of 28 deaths, with 16 deaths by suicide. Fernandes was last seen wearing a black Army T-shirt and shorts with black, orange and yellow athletic shoes. Guillen was the third service member from the base to be found dead this summer. In a harrowing twist, the search for Guillen kicks off the same week that investigators uncovered the skeletal remains of Private Gregory Wedel-Morales, one of two Fort Hood soldiers who went. Prosecutors in 2014 said Gregory McQueen ran a prostitution ring at Fort Hood for a month or two that took advantage of cash-strapped female soldiers and connected them with higher-ranking officers.