Crime & Safety

Ex-Soldier Pleads Guilty to Evidence Destruction in Militia Case

Christopher Jenderseck has pleaded guilty to destroying evidence in the wake of two murders and agreed to testify against other defendants in the case.

A former soldier pleaded guilty Monday to destroying evidence in a December double-murder, according to an Associated Press report.

Christopher Jenderseck pleaded guilty to destroying shotgun shells, a cell phone and clothing after the slayings of former Fort Stewart soldier Michael Roark and his girlfriend, Tiffany York. He also agreed to testify against other defendants in the case. The deal will allow Jenderseck, who was arrested last month, to avoid further jail time, according to the AP.

Jenderseck is one of 10 people -- most of them Fort Stewart soldiers or former soldiers -- whom prosecutors say formed a militia that planned attacks in Savannah and Washington state and the assassination of President Barack Obama.

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Four of the ten are accused in the December murders of Roark and York. Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon could face the death penalty if convicted for the killings. A fourth soldier, Pfc. Michael Burnett, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is testifying against the other three defendants.

According to testimony from Burnett, Aguigui ordered the killings because Roark -- thought to be a member of the militia -- had left the Army and it was feared he might betray the group.

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More on the murders of Michael Roark and Tiffany York:

  • Four Fort Stewart Soldiers Arrested in Double Murder Case
  • Prosecutors: Murder of Former Soldier Part of Plot Against Government
  • Prosecutors: Fort Stewart Soldier Used Insurance Money to Finance Militia
  • 3 Fort Stewart Soldiers Face Death Penalty in Murder Case
  • Prosecutors: Fort Stewart Militia Leader Used Video Games to Lure Recruits
  • 5 More Indicted in Fort Stewart Militia Case

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