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, 23, according to a press release received today from Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs.
The general nature of the charges against Rancy is for the murder of 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 Rancy is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Rancy is currently being held in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing pursuant to Article 32, UCMJ. 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.
No further details were released.
On the evening of Oct. 21, Roque’s body was found in a dumpster adjacent to single soldiers’ quarters at Fort Leonard Wood, according to information released during a press conference last week.
Officials could not confirm the cause of death pending autopsy results.
Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, was a bridge crewmember, serving as a Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. She enlisted in 2020 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.
The morning of Oct. 21 Roque was not present for her unit's morning formation and a search soon began.
