Navy Veteran Charged with Kidnapping Resulting in Death

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Navy veteran Eric Brian Brown with kidnapping resulting in the death of Ashanti M. Billie, a 19-year-old Virginia Beach college student.

According to allegations in the indictment, Brown, 46, abducted Billie in September 2017 on the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Brown then transported Billie against her will and across state lines from Virginia to North Carolina. Billie died as a result of the kidnapping.

If convicted of kidnapping resulting in death, Brown faces a maximum penalty of death and a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison. Brown is also charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and theft. If convicted of those two offenses, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors and requirements.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Cliff Everton, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police; James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police; and Kerr Putney, Chief of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Comstock, Randy C. Stoker and William B. Jackson are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.