Former Soldier Sentenced for Murder of Pregnant Soldier
A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of a pregnant 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.
Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales by a jury in Pensacola, Florida, on May 7. The crime took place on November 3, 2001, in Gonzales’ barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany.
According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Gonzales to death. Evidence presented at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base.
“Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri.
The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated the case with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the crime.
“Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division.
The sentencing of Wilkerson marks a significant moment for the Gonzales family, who will mark 23 years since the tragic event on November 3.
Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.
Defendant: Shannon L. Wilkerson
Criminal Charges: Second-degree murder
City and State: Pensacola, Florida
Date: May 7, 2023
Sentence: 30 years in prison
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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