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On Tuesday, a Texas woman pleaded guilty in connection to the disappearance of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen. Cecily Aguilar, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of accessory to murder after the fact and three counts of making a false statement, as reported by Fox News.
Cecily Aguilar’s guilty plea today was another step on the long path toward justice for Vanessa, my client, and her courageous family.
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A sentencing date has not yet been set for Aguilar. But she faces up to 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
According to authorities, Aguilar assisted her boyfriend, Army Spc. Aaron Robinson, 20, in the murder, dismemberment, and disposal of Guillen’s body. Robinson committed suicide on June 30, 2020, the day that Guillen’s remains were found.
Between April 22, 2020, and July 1, 2020, Aguilar assisted Robinson in destroying evidence. She destroyed information in a Google account for Robinson. And initially lied to investigators about what she knew in regard to Guillen’s disappearance.
During the investigation into the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen, Aguilar made four materially false statements to federal investigators.
According to Fox News, Aguilar originally pleaded not guilty to three conspiracy charges but later confessed to her role in the crime.
We were just looking for the day where she would just confess and admit to her crime, and the harm that was committed on this family. Today’s admission to guilt provides us some relief.
According to The New York Times, Vanessa Guillen was last seen on April 22, 2020, at Fort Hood military base in Texas. As The Shade Room previously reported, Guillen was bludgeoned to death with a hammer by Robinson, in an armory room. Then he and Aguilar transported her body off base and buried her.
Prior to Guillen’s death, she planned to file a harassment complaint against Robinson. Her family now believes that he was sexually harassing her.
Guillen’s death prompted a worldwide social media response. Using the hashtag #IAmVaessaGuillen, former and active service members came forward and shared their own experiences of sexual harassment. The army even launched its own investigation at the Fort Hood base. And found “major flaws,” as well as a climate that was “permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault.”
According to The New York Times, 14 officials, including high-ranking members, were fired or suspended. As of January 1, the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act was instated which requires that sexual harassment complaints involving service members be sent to an independent investigator.
I Am Vanessa Guillen, a documentary recently released on Netflix, has reinvigorated public interest in the case. It also documents Guillen’s family’s fight for justice and reform — something her mother is eager for fellow victims and their families to receive as well.
I only ask God for true justice, because she’s not the only one responsible. I know there are more, and I hope to God that the truth comes to light.
