A former U.S. Army soldier, Shannon Wilkerson, 43, was convicted by a federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, for the second-degree murder of 19-year-old Pfc. Amanda Gonzales. The Department of Justice announced the verdict on Tuesday.
The tragic incident occurred in November 2001 at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, a former Army base in Hanau, Germany. Gonzales, who was four months pregnant, was found beaten and strangled in her barracks room after failing to report to her job as a cook in the Headquarters Supply Company of the 127th Aviation Support Battalion.
Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch stated, 'Twenty-two years ago, Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, who he believed was pregnant with his child.' The conviction serves as a testament to the commitment of law enforcement in seeking justice for victims of violent crimes.
Wilkerson, who was discharged from active duty in 2004, was arrested on Feb. 23, 2023, and charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act. This act grants U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the country by former servicemembers no longer subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Wilkerson is set to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and could face life imprisonment for his heinous actions. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, demonstrate a steadfast dedication to pursuing justice for victims, regardless of the time elapsed since the crime.
