Cecily Aguilar was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Judge Alan D. Albright for her involvement in the killing of Vanessa Guillén, a former Fort Hood soldier in McLennan County, Texas (FOX 44).
After learning about Guillén’s passing, the judge reached that conclusion following a brief break in the sentencing hearing, considering the profound sorrow expressed by her family during their testimony.
Ranger Justin testified earlier on Monday in Texas about his involvement in the disappearance of Guillén. After Guillén was reported missing, Duck had several conversations with Aguilar because Robinson Aaron, Guillén’s boyfriend, was the last person to see her.
Vanessa Guillén, a witness, testified that she admitted to helping Aaron Robinson dismember the body. Leon River, the authorities, did not discover the human remains until Aguilar confessed.
The Latin American United League, also known as LULAC, stated that the crucial phase of justice brings closure, finally sentencing Cecily Aguilar to 30 years.
Garcia added, “It is a mixture of emotions, and we will not cease anytime that crimes are committed against our Latino men and women in military attire. LULAC can proudly declare that we have the Vanessa Guillén Act that will safeguard future generations of other servicemembers from becoming victims of military sexual assault or worse due to the battle we engaged in following Vanessa’s death. The significance of this sentence lies in the triumph of our community uniting and persevering until the completion of this process.” Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President, stated, “The pain and sorrow endured by the Guillén family as a result of Vanessa’s tragic murder can never be replaced.”
According to Analuisa Tapia, the leader of LULAC, there were no winners in this story as the community organized vigils and protests outside Ft. Cavazos every Friday for weeks while Vanessa’s disappearance in April 2022 remained silent.
Tapia states that death has brought us the ability to find solace and tranquility, allowing us to commence the process of letting Vanessa rest in a more favorable location. Vanessa’s family made repeated pleas for assistance and protection, but the Army failed to listen or safeguard her, making her a victim on multiple occasions. We must ensure that what Vanessa went through never happens again, as justice, not revenge, is what we have been seeking.
“Providing justice to the Guillén family, who have suffered immense anguish over the course of recent years, is that today’s verdict offers a feeling of solace,” expressed U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza, representing the Western District of Texas. “Ms. Aguilar’s conduct was inexcusable, and she will now confront the highest possible punishment for the decisions she made. I am appreciative of our collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies, who exhibited unwavering commitment in resolving this case and ensuring that this defendant faces the consequences.”
Cecily Ann Aguilar appeared before Judge Alan D. Albright on Monday for her sentencing at the U.S. District Court in Waco. She is the sole remaining individual accused in relation to the demise of Vanessa Guillén.
She was supposed to receive her sentence for the charges of Tampering with Evidence in March, but this was postponed because a motion requesting a continuance of the sentencing was filed.
In November 2022, Jeffrey Manske, a judge, appeared before the enforcement of law for making false statements and admitted to being an accessory after the fact.
In April 2020, Guillen vanished after a meeting with Specialist Aaron Robinson in a weapons storage area on Fort Hood. In July 2020, Guillen’s remains were discovered. When questioned by authorities regarding Guillen’s vanishing, Robinson subsequently took his own life. Aguilar was charged with eleven offenses related to Guillen’s homicide, which included altering documents and plotting to alter documents and legal proceedings.
According to a report released in April 2021, investigators say that Robinson, another soldier, sexually harassed Guillén, but Guillén did not say that Robinson also sexually harassed him. They say that leaders failed to move up the chain of command and take appropriate action on the allegations, and that created a hostile environment.
According to the report, the Acting Senior Commander of Fort Hood miscalculated the importance of SPC Guillén’s vanishing and was excessively hesitant to involve the press – underestimating the magnitude of the incident.
According to the investigators, the trust, faith, and reputation of Fort Hood and the U.S. Army were compromised, and the Guillén Family lost confidence, until Fort Hood changed its stance.