Former soldier Ricardo Manuele Davila-DeJesus, 29, was sentenced to two years in prison Wednesday, July 13, 2022, for assaulting military police who responded to the barracks at Fort Hood, Texas, after he fired a weapon during a drunken fight in February 2021. Following the incident, base officials said they tightened security measures at Fort Hood and a new policy allows them to limit access to the base for some former soldiers depending on their type of discharge. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
A former soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for assaulting military police who responded to the barracks after he fired a weapon during a drunken fight last year.
Ricardo Manuele Davila-DeJesus, 29, pleaded guilty on March 22 in a Waco federal courtroom within the Western District of Texas to two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, according to the Justice Department. The incident began after Davila-DeJesus became drunk and argued with several people inside of a Fort Hood barracks at about 12:50 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2021, according to court documents.
Military police were called to the barracks when the argument spilled into the parking lot and Davila-DeJesus retrieved a Glock 30 — a .45-caliber handgun — and pointed it directly at a soldier who is not named in the court documents.
The soldier, “who was in fear for his life,” ran back toward the barracks building and heard three gunshots. Davila-DeJesus was disarmed by others at the scene and police soon arrived.
During transport to the police station, Davila-DeJesus struck an officer and spit in the face of another, according to a Justice Department statement. He continued to resist arrest by repeatedly kicking the back door of the patrol vehicle.
Davila-DeJesus was initially indicted for a federal charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which carried a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Immediately following the incident last year, Fort Hood announced increased security measures for access to the base, which are still in place. All civilians must show identification to enter Fort Hood. Previously, those with base access could vouch for adult passengers.
Davila-DeJesus was separated from the Army in May 2020 after misconduct that included drug use, domestic violence and driving under the influence, according to base officials. His arrest on base last year led officials to review whether former soldiers who were separated for misconduct should have access to Fort Hood.
Base officials said Thursday that the review resulted in a policy that does allow them to limit access to the base for some former soldiers depending on their type of discharge.
