US Navy updates temporary transfer policy for sexual assault suspects after murder

Published Jul 28, 08:24 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy has updated its policy on temporarily transferring sailors under investigation for sexual assault, following the 2025 murder of Petty Officer 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz at Naval Station Norfolk. The new policy restricts such transfers to brief relocations to shore commands only, requiring commander approval, new command consent, legal advice, and coordination with NCIS. The change was prompted by the case of Petty Officer Jermiah Copeland, who was sentenced to 44 years in prison for strangling Resendiz. Copeland had been linked to multiple sexual assaults on two Navy ships prior to the murder. The previous policy allowed broader temporary transfers for service members under investigation for any crime.