Cecily Aguilar pleads guilty in connection with the death of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen

CNN
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Cecily Aguilar, who was arrested in 2020 in connection with the disappearance of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in the cover-up of her death, according to CNN affiliate KWTX and an attorney for Guillen’s family.

Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact and three counts of misrepresentation, KWTX reported.

Aguilar also waived his rights to a trial, according to KWTX. She faces at least 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million and the possibility of 12 years of federal supervision once released from prison, KWTX reported.

CNN has reached out to Aguilar’s attorneys for comment.

The prime suspect in Guillen’s disappearance has been identified by officials as the SPC. Aaron David Robinson, who committed suicide after being confronted by investigators.

Aguilar was Robinson’s girlfriend, according to KWTX.

« Cecily Aguilar’s guilty plea today was another step on the long road to justice for Vanessa, my client, and her brave family. We knew she was guilty, but her admission offers closure for the family. and Vanessa’s friends, what they deserve,” Guillen’s family attorney Natalie Khawam said in a statement to CNN.

Guillen was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas when she went missing in April 2020. Her body was found in a shallow grave on June 30, 2020.

When her remains were found, it appeared that she had been bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory room where she worked and her body had been carried from the facility by her killer, according to a lawyer for the family, who cited details shared with the family by investigators.