by | May 5 Leonard Wood) – A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at Fort Leonard Wood involving a soldier who is accused of last year’s murder of an Army sergeant The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel at Fort Leonard Wood charged Wooster Rancy with murder and obstructing justice in the October 20th murder of Sergeant Sarah Roque The 23-year-old’s body was found in a dumpster on the southern Missouri base after she did not report for duty Both served with the base’s 5th Engineer Battalion a neutral officer will recommend what happens next in the case Missourinet is a division of LEARFIELD Subscribe here to get our latest news and information delivered to your inbox © Learfield News & Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Tyrique Williams was arrested in the death of a Fayetteville U.S. Army officials arrested a man Wednesday at Fort Leonard Wood in connection with a homicide investigation in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to a news release from the Fayetteville Police Department was identified as a suspect in the disappearance and alleged murder of 27-year-old Annie Lock Lock was reported missing in October 2024; her remains were found about six months later Williams faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of death officials with the Army's Criminal Investigation Division arrested Williams at Fort Leonard Wood and took him to the Pulaski County Jail where he will await extradition proceedings Fort Leonard Wood confirmed that Williams was attending basic combat training with the 35th Engineer Battalion (Editor's note: this story has been updated with corrected information about when Annie Lock was last seen and when she was reported missing.) To report an error or typo, email news@komu.com Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: by | Mar 19 Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood to see influx of new Army recruits Army recruits are pouring into Fort Leonard Wood in southern Missouri Defense Department announced record military recruitment during the latter part of last year This led to the Army announcing that ten companies of recruits would be established at Ft Aaron Bohrer told Missourinet affiliate KJPW in Waynesville how many basic recruit companies are coming to Missouri “We’re going to expand by 5 basic combat training companies which gives us an additional load capability annually of another 4,400 soldiers trained here for about 18,000 basic combat training soldiers totally through here,” he said Bohrer said the increase in recruits also means an increase in drill sergeants being stationed at the base in Waynesville “We did get one company of reserve drill sergeants,” he said “They were volunteers from various units in the 108th Training Command of the reserves and then our additional four companies that were standing up were drill sergeants diverted from other locations or from the academy.” the arrival of new recruits will also mean graduation ceremonies throughout the year Leonard Wood and the surrounding community,” he told KJPW Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Coast Guardsmen and international students from allied nations receive training Story by Gary Knehans of Missourinet affiliate KJPW in Waynesville Fort Leonard Wood officials have told all non-essential personnel to stay home on Sunday A release from base officials on their Facebook page states "personnel who are listed as critical or essential as previously identified by their supervisor should report to work at their normal time Sunday All religious services on the base have been canceled for Sunday as have activities at the Family and Morale and the Commissary and Exchange facilities The South Shopette is scheduled to open at noon on Sunday Wooster Rancy is in custody for the death of Sgt Wooster Rancy is in custody for the death of Sgt Army officials have filed charges in the death and possible homicide of a Fort Leonard Wood soldier who was found in a dumpster on base the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel preferred charges against 21-year-old Spc on Wednesday in relation to 23-year-old Sgt Army officials say the general nature of the charges against Rancy are for the alleged murder of Roque on Oct and "obstructing justice in violation of Articles 118 and 131b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice." Roque was also part of the Fifth Engineer Battalion, serving as a mine dog handler with the battalion's K9 Detachment, according to a Fort Leonard Wood Facebook post. Florida and serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company Rancy joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood Rancy is currently being held in pre-trial confinement at the Midwest Joint Regional Confinement Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and is awaiting a preliminary hearing. Fort Leonard Wood said they had taken a person of interest into custody last week The Army holding Rancy in pre-trial detention is unusual for the military and could mean his commander believes he is a flight risk or poses a risk of future danger, according to retired Lt. Col. Will Helixon. Helixon is the former chief of advocacy and litigation training for the U.S. Army Trial Defense Services, and the founder and chief legal counsel of a law firm which defends U.S the next step is for a neutral officer to be assigned and a date scheduled to conduct a preliminary hearing," said Michelle McCaskill the officer will make recommendations regarding the appropriate disposition of the case." Preferred charges means there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, Helixon said. The burden of proof to bring charges in a court-martial is less than what is required for conviction, Helixon said. There must be probable cause the accused person committed an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice An officer must sign off on the charges under oath the case goes through a preliminary hearing to determine whether is enough evidence to move forward with a trial "If there was any doubt whatsoever in the minds of prosecutors they would hold off on the preferral of charges until they've done a thorough and complete investigation," Helixon said Have the latest local news delivered every morning to start your day informed A neutral investigating officer will be appointed to look at the evidence to see if there's enough probable cause The officer will also determine if the Army has jurisdiction over the case The Army has 120 days from when Rancy was detained to conduct a trial If an officer determines there is enough evidence for a trial Rancy has three options: He can plead guilty Rancy would face a panel of at least eight military personnel Three-quarters (75%) of the panel must agree with the charges for a conviction There are significant differences between these trials And you make arguments that would resonate with officers and senior enlisted individuals in the military," Helixon said "If you're going to a military judge alone the judge has a pretty firm grasp of the law You're probably making technical legal arguments to say that they did not prove the elements of the offense." There are also differences when it comes to sentencing A judge could be lighter than a military panel because a panel might be shocked by the misconduct Helixon said he only handled four murder cases Roque's unit reported her missing after she didn't show up for morning formation Within three hours of being reported missing Fort Leonard Wood's Department of Emergency Services issued a missing persons alert Fort Leonard Wood announced Roque was found deceased in a Facebook post the next day She attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood according to the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division Anyone with information about Roque’s death or her whereabouts beforehand is urged to contact law enforcement officials at 573-596-6141 This work, MSCoE hosts foreign defense attaché delegation at Fort Leonard Wood, by Melissa Buckley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright A person of interest is in custody after the death of U.S Roque's body was found in a dumpster near housing for single soldiers on Fort Leonard Wood Monday evening Missouri is now being investigated as a homicide after the body of 23-year-old Sgt Sarah Roque was found in a dumpster on base A person of interest has been taken into custody Fort Leonard Wood said in a news release Thursday afternoon The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating Roque's death as a possible homicide with the help of the FBI the commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood said during a Thursday morning press briefing Roque's body was found in a dumpster near housing for single soldiers Officials declined to provide further information about the person of interest Thursday morning The Army has brought in additional personnel to help with the investigation but anybody related to the incident is "secured." Law enforcement is confident there is no active threat to the base or community Special Agent in Charge John McCabe of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Midcentral Field Office said Thursday morning "The Fort Leonard Wood community is devastated by this tragic loss," Beck said "[Sarah was] described by her peers as tough and proud of everything she did which she did with honor and distinction." Roque served as a mine dog handler with the Fifth Engineer Battalion's K9 Detachment, according to a Fort Leonard Wood Facebook post. Roque was from Ligonier She received multiple awards and decorations Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon The department then reached out to the Army's Criminal Investigation Division for assistance Fort Leonard Wood announced Roque was found deceased in a Tuesday Facebook post announced a proclamation of recognition in her honor Thursday evening The proclamation asked for flags to be flown at half-staff until her burial Mark Alford issued a statement offering condolences after Roque's death Alford is a member of the House Armed Services Committee "We send our deep condolences to the family and loved ones of Sergeant Sarah Roque and the entire Fort Leonard Wood community," Alford said "We mourn with all those affected by this tragedy and we stand alongside them during this horrible time." The circumstances surrounding the death of Sgt Competitors will be expected to perform advanced tasks under extreme stress and pressure long hours and a lot of miles on their feet “Sappers can complete any task because they are some of the strongest soldiers both mentally and physically,” O’Brien said Army Best Sapper Competition began in 2005 and is open to two-person teams The competition not only determines the next “Best Sapper” team but tests Army combat engineers’ knowledge at least one team member must have earned a Sapper tab from the 28-day Sapper Leader Course at Fort Leonard Wood Competitors will arrive already tired to the opening ceremony Friday and for their grand entrance they will rappel from CH-47 Chinook helicopters Thirty-five teams of two are then set to begin the competition Expect competitors will be “caught off guard” by some of the tasks this year “We are getting to do things a little bit differently,” he said “It will be a new experience for competitors.” O’Brien said organizers have integrated emerging technologies “As we celebrate 40 years of the Sapper Leader Course we are integrating legacy tasks and events into the competition in addition to modern tasks,” O’Brien said “We are embracing our legacy as we step into the future.” Community members can attend the four-day challenge to show their support for the competitors see military vehicles and weapons on display and participate in other events happening during the competition There will be an interactive map available to spectators to follow and understand the events taking place Sarah Roque was found dead after being reported missing Monday at Fort Leonard Wood Richards/AFP/Getty Images)Editor’s note: This article was updated Thursday with new information from the Army regarding developments in the investigation Army authorities have taken a person of interest into custody in the death of a Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, soldier who missed formation Monday and was later found dead Post officials said military police issued a missing person alert Monday for Sgt Later that night investigators found her body in a dumpster on the post this is something that we never want to happen,” said Maj head of both the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood We never want for the family to have to endure or the unit to have to endure.” The Army is investigating Roque’s death as a homicide Roque’s body was found in a dumpster adjacent to the single soldiers’ quarters on base Beck and other officials assured the public in a news conference Thursday there is no threat to the public in connection with this incident An Army investigator who spoke at the press conference would not disclose whether the person of interest is a military member or civilian The official also would not share the cause of death Beck remarked on the loss that the post’s community felt with Roque’s death friend and soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably,” said Maj “Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team and while there are no words to ease the pain resources and support to those who are affected during this difficult time.” Sarah Roque was reported missing Monday and later found dead (Army)Installation public affairs officials released a statement with details of Roque’s background and deferred further comment to Army Criminal Investigation Division declines to comment on ongoing investigations Roque enlisted in 2020 and graduated basic training at Fort Leonard Wood She served as a bridge crew member and mine dog handler with 5th Engineer Battalion’s K9 Detachment Roque’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal government and the military for multiple publications since 2004 and was named a 2014 Pulitzer finalist for a co-written project on witness intimidation This work, Fort Leonard Wood first responder training facility gets new, real-world trainer, by Melissa Buckley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright MO — Some 150 IBEW Local 453-represented maintenance employees working about 30 different jobs on the Fort Leonard Wood army base went on strike Feb 5 calling out Unfair Labor Practices after the base’s maintenance contractor New Mexico-based TSAY Professional Services declared an impasse in the middle of contract negotiations after union members rejected its last and final offer Local 453 Business Manager Kevin McGill said the company has refused to negotiate in good faith and has denied raises even lower than inflation Union members voted 102 to nine to reject the offer McGill said Local 453 has expressed a willingness for further negotiations to reach a fair contract with fair wages declaring a unilateral impasse two-and-a-half weeks before the contract expired “This company has tried through the negotiation process of this contract to unilaterally take things away from the men and women that are in the contract already,” McGill said by which workers are provided uniforms and cleaning officials with TSAY said they were thinking of doing away with the policy the company announced it was doing away with the policy on Feb “That was one of their open issues,” McGill said “That’s a monetary loss for all these members.” “That’s not exactly a bargaining in good faith,” McGill said the company complained that they couldn’t meet workers’ demand because the government was telling them to cut costs “These maintenance workers work hard,” McGill said Whenever there’s a big ice or snow situation They do all that just to keep everything going.” McGill said TSAY hasn’t offered a wage increase that keeps up with the cost-of-living meaning members would actually be taking a pay cut when adjusting for inflation “Inflation over the last five years has averaged five percent a year They haven’t offered anything close to what inflation has been,” McGill said “They’re not offering anything close to five percent a year for these guys that have worked to get where they’re at to be able to stay where they’re at All we’re asking for is something that’s fair.” McGill said workers will stay out as long as it takes to bring TSAY back to the bargaining table “We’re going to be out however long it takes for the company to come back and bargain in good faith and give these guys a fair offer,” he said “We’ve got a great bunch of members down here Filed under: Featured, Strikes Please enter an answer in digits:3 + nineteen = Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" the Labor Tribune is one of the few remaining labor weekly newspapers in the country It has a symbiotic relationship with its subscribers: the paper exists because of their continued and unwavering support and the St Louis/Southern Illinois labor movements are considered among the strongest in America in great part because they have a solid strong voice that allows their positions to be heard in the general community A fellow soldier has been charged in the death of 23-year-old Army Sgt whose body was found in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri last week Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, faces charges of murder and obstructing justice in her death Oct. 20, the base said in a news release Thursday Officials did not provide details about how Roque was killed Rancy is a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood 21 after she did not show up for her unit’s morning formation she had last been seen on base and attempts by her chain of command and family to contact her were unsuccessful Fort Leonard Wood issued a "be on the lookout" report asking the public and law enforcement agencies for help Roque's body was discovered in a dumpster next to single-soldier housing on the evening of Oct Christopher Beck said a person of interest had been taken into custody Beck added that the Army Criminal Investigation Division was investigating Roque's death as a potential homicide The FBI and other law enforcement agencies also assisted with the investigation Fort Leonard Wood is a military installation that trains nearly 80,000 people each year enlisted in 2020 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood She was a bridge crewmember and served as a mine-dog handler with the K9 detachment in the 5th Engineer Battalion Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal Beck said Roque was "described by her peers as tough and proud of everything she did and proud to serve our country which she did with honor and distinction." He added "The Fort Leonard Wood community is devastated by this tragic loss." Officials have honored Roque as her body was brought from Missouri to her hometown, including a motorcade, processional route and vigil, according to TV station WANE in Fort Wayne Become an NPR sponsor Army investigators are treating the death of a Fort Leonard Wood sergeant as a homicide after confirming her body was found Monday evening in a dumpster near barracks for single soldiers and we are continuing to look at every investigative lead,” he said McCabe said the person never posed a threat to the base or the community He also declined to say whether the individual is a service member or has any other type of affiliation with the military base “We are confident that there is no threat to the community or base personnel,” he said commander of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood which is home to about 6,600 active-duty soldiers But they offered few details about what happened while encouraging anyone with information to come forward The base is also working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies please know that our focus remains on providing the care support and resources needed during this difficult time for the unit and most importantly “We remain in constant communication with the family.” and served as a bridge crew member and a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment of the 5th Engineer Battalion She enlisted in 2020 and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Her peers in the unit described her as “tough and proud of everything she did,” Beck said She served the Army with honor and distinction When she failed to show up for duty Monday morning the unit contacted military police after initial efforts to locate her failed Officials declined to say who found her body or whether there was a suspected cause of death CID has moved personnel to Fort Leonard Wood criminal investigators and forensic evidence collectors “We’ve been working this 24/7 making sure we’re applying the appropriate amount of manpower to it and resources “We are confident that those responsible for the death of Sgt Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker This work, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood bids farewell to Castleberry, welcomes Dodd during ceremony, by Melissa Buckley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A soldier has been charged with murder in the death of a fellow service member at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel charged the 21-year-old specialist on Wednesday with murder and obstructing justice in the death of Sgt and worked as a mine-detecting dog handler — was reported missing Oct Her body was discovered in a trash bin on the base two days later Fort Leonard Wood officials said last week that they were investigating Roque's death as a homicide and that they had taken a person of interest into custody last Thursday Officials also stressed that there was no broader threat to base personnel or the community But Army investigators have released few other details about what happened including the cause of Roque’s death or a possible motive She was a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion and enlisted in 2020 Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward Report a typo