FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Oct. 31, 2024) — On October 30, 2024, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel preferred charges against Specialist Wooster Rancy, 21, with the 5th Engineer Battalion, in relation to the death of Sergeant Sarah Roque.

The general nature of the charges against Specialist Rancy is for the murder of Sergeant Sarah Roque on Oct. 20, and obstructing justice in violation of Articles 118 and 131b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The charges are allegations and Specialist Rancy is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Specialist Rancy is currently being held in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing pursuant to Article 32, UCMJ.

Specialist Rancy is originally from North Miami, Florida, and serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. He joined the Army in 2022 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.

The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate, and updates will be provided as they are available.

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Due to the ongoing investigation, there are no additional releasable details regarding the circumstances of Sergeant Roque’s death through Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs. Follow on inquiries should be directed to Department of the Army CID PAO, CIDPAO@army.mil.

For specific queries as to the legal proceedings of the case, please reach out to the Office of Special Trial Counsel, michelle.m.madej.civ@army.mil.