Suspect in Vanessa Guillen case has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges

In the case of the murder and disappearance of Vanessa Guillen, Cecily Aguilar, 24, has pleaded guilty to a single count of accessory after the fact, and three counts of making a false statement.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, Aguilar faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.

Spc. Aaron David Robinson, Cecily Aguilar – suspects in murder of Vanessa Guillen (credit: US Army)

Aguilar was accused of dismembering Guillen’s body with Army Specialist Aaron Robinson after a brutal assault. When authorities attempted to detain Robinson, he fatally shot himself.

Read next: Soldier found dead in barracks, some claim foul play

Guillen’s case made national headlines, as another example of the military failing to protect its members. As a result, portions of the “I Am Venessa Guillen” Act were signed into law.

“Cecily Aguilar’s guilty plea today was another step on the long path toward justice for Vanessa, my client, and her courageous family.” – Natalie Khawam, attorney for the Guillen family

Vanessa Guillen’s sister, Mayra Guillen, traveled to Waco, T.X. to attend the hearing. She told reporters that the experience was hard on her family. Furthermore, she stated that they expected Aguilar to fight back and, “We were very taken aback by her decision today. There’s still a lot of mixed emotions.” A date for sentencing has not been set.