GUILTY VA - Ashanti Billie, 19, found deceased, Virginia Beach, 18 Sept 2017 *Arrest*

[Gardener1850]

bbm

That's what I've been wondering all this time -- the only thing that would keep him from receiving retirement from the Navy after 21 years would be a dishonorable discharge (I am told) & I think that a D.D. would already have been covered by reporting -- plus I doubt he would be allowed on the Naval Base, so what happens to his money?

While he was under LE surveillance he used an ATM to get out money for condoms, cigarettes and a prostitute (his deal with pros feel through and she is a witness). He ate out at multiple fast places and he is reported to have gone to Blimpies daily. He was still using his childhood home in Charlotte as his official address for mail even though it went in foreclosure years ago and his family no longer owns it. My opinion is he preferred to be homeless and spend his retirement check on food and any vices he has instead of spending it on housing. The transient lifestyle may have also allowed him to victimize other women in one place and dump them in another, like he did to Ashanti. JMO.

 

[ElementalLaura]

My bet is that Ashanti is not his first victim, regardless of whether he is responsible for Keir and Chloe. She had been there for a month? That's escalating quickly with a lot of confidence if she were his first victim.

Gardner, I've been thinking along the same lines -- he likes the freedom of the lifestyle. Sign of the times: a purposeful transient who carjacks the women he brutalizes to transport to his various 'homes' and places of past comfort. Maybe he slept in their cars as well before abandoning them.

While he was under LE surveillance he used an ATM to get out money for condoms, cigarettes and a prostitute (his deal with pros feel through and she is a witness). He ate out at multiple fast places and he is reported to have gone to Blimpies daily. He was still using his childhood home in Charlotte as his official address for mail even though it went in foreclosure years ago and his family no longer owns it. My opinion is he preferred to be homeless and spend his retirement check on food and any vices he has instead of spending it on housing. The transient lifestyle may have also allowed him to victimize other women in one place and dump them in another, like he did to Ashanti. JMO.

 

[ElementalLaura]

Thanks for clearing this up. Perhaps the on air reporter didn't explain it right (I don't have a cite). Clearly some new safeguards need to be put in place regarding base access and behavior. For example after his arrest in Virginia Beach for trespassing / lewdness, would he still have been allowed back on base to roam freely if he hadn't been charged with Ashanti's murder?


Could they do something in the future like allow him(badly behaving veteran) to come on base just for the services he needs, then tell him he has to leave?

Where is the Virginia Beach info? I need to get caught up.


Where I work (a federal facility, but not a base), you have to requalify for badge access to restricted areas if you retire (and demonstrate a need for access, depending on the facility). Why not require something similar for vets? Requal for access every 2-5 years and make it free of charge to the vet. It's not overly onerous. If you commit an offense, you either have to go through training or lose access, depending on the nature of the offense.

I want to know more on Eric Brian Brown. Was he marred, did he have kids? Did he have drug issues? I mean my husband is in the navy and will retire within 3 years. Most people that stay in long enough to retire are pretty good people, I mean they usually don't get in trouble while in their career, they serve and get out to collect their retirement check and live a good life. Why was this guy homeless? He had a retirement check coming in... so? He had money. If I read it correctly he retired in 2011. He entered in the Navy in 1990. So.... did he snap? Also, where had he been stationed before? California, Japan, FL, Washington? He was an IT in the Navy and they can be stationed pretty much anywhere.

Me, too! I wonder what his personnel file looked like.

 

[Gardener1850]

Where is the Virginia Beach info? I need to get caught up.


Where I work (a federal facility, but not a base), you have to requalify for badge access to restricted areas if you retire (and demonstrate a need for access, depending on the facility). Why not require something similar for vets? Requal for access every 2-5 years and make it free of charge to the vet. It's not overly onerous. If you commit an offense, you either have to go through training or lose access, depending on the nature of the offense.



Me, too! I wonder what his personnel file looked like.

I think the OP is talking about the arrest described around page 13 of the Criminal Complaint: https://lintvwavy.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/brown-complaint-22.pdf

 

[Justice4ashanti]

Where is the Virginia Beach info? I need to get caught up.


Where I work (a federal facility, but not a base), you have to requalify for badge access to restricted areas if you retire (and demonstrate a need for access, depending on the facility). Why not require something similar for vets? Requal for access every 2-5 years and make it free of charge to the vet. It's not overly onerous. If you commit an offense, you either have to go through training or lose access, depending on the nature of the offense.



Me, too! I wonder what his personnel file looked like.

Me three! Every has been posting everything thats,on my mind!

 

[crhedBngr]

Where is the Virginia Beach info? I need to get caught up.


Where I work (a federal facility, but not a base), you have to requalify for badge access to restricted areas if you retire (and demonstrate a need for access, depending on the facility). Why not require something similar for vets? Requal for access every 2-5 years and make it free of charge to the vet. It's not overly onerous. If you commit an offense, you either have to go through training or lose access, depending on the nature of the offense.

RSBM

I couldn't agree with you more! Same here, I worked at an aerospace and defense company who kept stringent tabs on those with restricted access. If one failed to meet the access requirements, one could lose that access. So, I think your idea is a good one.

 

[sarriehoo]

Where I work (a federal facility, but not a base), you have to requalify for badge access to restricted areas if you retire (and demonstrate a need for access, depending on the facility). Why not require something similar for vets? Requal for access every 2-5 years and make it free of charge to the vet. It's not overly onerous. If you commit an offense, you either have to go through training or lose access, depending on the nature of the offense.

I would guess, but can't say with certainty, that something like this already exists. Military ID cards expire and have to be renewed every 4 years. I have lived on several military bases and can say that screening of civilians to get on base is very strict and involves background checks. During one move, the government-contracted moving company couldn't get on base because one guy had a driving on a suspended license conviction from 7 years prior. I don't know if/how they monitor retirees and their families, but they do already have to get their IDs renewed. I wonder if the same background check applies, but I don't really know. I don't know if/how they screen the civilian families of active duty military members, for that matter.

I also want to clarify that vets and retirees are not exactly the same thing...veterans being anyone who has served and retirees being 20+ years of service (if not medically retired) and drawing a pension. It's not that anyone who has ever served has lifetime access to military bases, it's retirees and their dependents, who may themselves be lifelong civilians, who have access to bases for healthcare, shopping privileges, campgrounds, retiree services, etc.


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[JnRyan]

Criminal Complaint: https://lintvwavy.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/brown-complaint-22.pdf


There is a lot of information .... it is so sad how Ashanti was found. I have no doubt they have the right suspect.

He is known to say "There ain't nothing like the first taste of blood." That makes me wonder if this isn't the first time he has killed. He could be Keir and Chloe Johnson's abductor and killer on the Peninsula. (I doubt it, but it still has to be considered.) If not Keir and Chloe, possibly someone else we have not made a connection to just yet. Since he doesn't have a car, I'm sure LE can try to determine if someone gave him a ride to the Peninsula around the time Keir and Chloe disappeared. I don't know if the transit system can go that far back to determine if he rode a bus there.

 

[Gardener1850]

He is known to say "There ain't nothing like the first taste of blood." That makes me wonder if this isn't the first time he has killed. He could be Keir and Chloe Johnson's abductor and killer on the Peninsula. (I doubt it, but it still has to be considered.) If not Keir and Chloe, possibly someone else we have not made a connection to just yet. Since he doesn't have a car, I'm sure LE can try to determine if someone gave him a ride to the Peninsula around the time Keir and Chloe disappeared. I don't know if the transit system can go that far back to determine if he rode a bus there.

Does anyone know if he would have been able to access part of Langley Air Force Base in Hampton? I'm thinking with so many bases in the Hampton Roads area he probably switched where he was staying every few days so he didn't come under suspicion by staying in one place too long. In just a few days under surveillance he slept in the gym TV room and he slept again in the laundromat. I hope they checked for lockers of abandoned items at all the area base gyms. I wonder if his childhood home in Charlotte that was foreclosed on is still vacant. He might have known a way to get in there if it is. They need to check all the places a veteran can access in Charlotte as well. JMO.

 

[cmlegend99]

As long as he had a mil ID he could have been on Langley. In my opinion Langley is more relaxed than the naval bases on the southside. I live about 5 miles from Langley and its a pretty small base. There is a gym and BX/commissary. I dont think he would have stayed on base though. BUT there are a few cheap hotels right outside of the gate. Buckroe beach isnt far from Langley at all.

 

[Summernights]

Based on the DNA and fingerprint evidence being cited, as well as the suspect's connection to Charlotte and, more specifically, the church, I believe he's the right suspect. I just wonder if he acted alone. I must admit, it doesn't seem like the suspect is the same man on video throwing Ashanti's phone in the dumpster. Due to the time frame of it only being about 10 mins after her car was last seen leaving the base, I know it makes sense that whoever took her would be the one dumping her phone. As I stated in a previous post, it looks like a slim guy with lighter skin. Maybe it's just due to the graininess of the video...?

 

[zannian]

When I saw the dumpster video, I thought the perp was anything but a dark skinned man. The speed and agility he had made me think he was in his 20s, not 45.

 

[ElementalLaura]

Some background info on Eric Brian Brown.

http://www.13newsnow.com/news/local/retired-navy-vet-charged-with-kidnapping-murdering-ashanti-billie/490248864

Biographical information released by the Navy says Brown enlisted on January 10, 1991. He ended his service on January 31, 2011.
Brown first was stationed in Hampton Roads in 1996 with Naval Computer and Telecommunications Master Station Atlantic. Among his other duty stations were Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, USS Theordore Roosevelt, and Expeditionary Strike Group 2. Brown also served at Naval Computer and Telephone Station Bahrain.
The enlisted warfare specialist was recognized with the following:

• Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
• Navy “E” Ribbon (3)
• Good Conduct Medal (4)
• National Defense Service Medal (2)
• Southwest Asia Service Medal (2)
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4)

 

[borndem]

As long as he had a mil ID he could have been on Langley. In my opinion Langley is more relaxed than the naval bases on the southside. I live about 5 miles from Langley and its a pretty small base. There is a gym and BX/commissary. I dont think he would have stayed on base though. BUT there are a few cheap hotels right outside of the gate. Buckroe beach isnt far from Langley at all.

Yes -- and by my crude measurement from a map, Langley & Little Creek are about 20 miles apart -- 15 to 30 min. bus or cab ride.

 

[borndem]

Some background info on Eric Brian Brown.

http://www.13newsnow.com/news/local/retired-navy-vet-charged-with-kidnapping-murdering-ashanti-billie/490248864

Thanks for that info, E'Laura!

I don't know anything about the level of ribbons/awards he got -- I would like to know if the awards mean a very outstanding sailor or if the awards were for satisfactory/doing-his-job performance. Anybody know? If not, I'll try to research them so we can perhaps get a fuller picture of this ~man~.

 

[Justice4ashanti]

Based on the DNA and fingerprint evidence being cited, as well as the suspect's connection to Charlotte and, more specifically, the church, I believe he's the right suspect. I just wonder if he acted alone. I must admit, it doesn't seem like the suspect is the same man on video throwing Ashanti's phone in the dumpster. Due to the time frame of it only being about 10 mins after her car was last seen leaving the base, I know it makes sense that whoever took her would be the one dumping her phone. As I stated in a previous post, it looks like a slim guy with lighter skin. Maybe it's just due to the graininess of the video...?

Yeah I thought the person in the video looked slimmer but quality of vid was bad

 

[sarriehoo]

Thanks for that info, E'Laura!

I don't know anything about the level of ribbons/awards he got -- I would like to know if the awards mean a very outstanding sailor or if the awards were for satisfactory/doing-his-job performance. Anybody know? If not, I'll try to research them so we can perhaps get a fuller picture of this ~man~.

I asked my husband, who is in the military, and he said there's nothing particularly special about those ribbons. (Not knocking them, of course - he has a few of these himself)

ETA: Happy Birthday, Marines!

Edited (again) to add some detail: my husband said the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal is the only personal medal listed, and it's the lowest personal medal available, and 1 awarded in 20 years is not a lot and actually kind of suspicious. (Like maybe he was not a very good sailor.) Some of the other medals mean simply "he was there," and a lot of them would have been awarded at the same time (Sea Service Deployment Ribbon at the same time as Southwest Asia Service Medal, for example, given for the same deployment). The Navy E ribbon is awarded to ships/subs entirely - everyone assigned to the unit gets one. National Defense Service Medal is awarded for being in the military during a time of war, just like the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. My husband said it doesn't look like he deployed during the War on Terror because he'd have more than a GWOT Service Medal. The four Good Conduct Medals means there were four periods of four years each that he didn't have any disciplinary or punitive issues. My husband said there's nothing standout about any of this and was very shocked that after 20 years he only had one personal medal.

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[borndem]

Great info, sarriehoo -- thanks!

I kind of thought the medals weren't a big deal, and I appreciate your DH's comments. So, as I had thought, he was no better than an average sailor for 21 years... Okay. I'm not trying to take away that he did serve his country (and ours) for 21 years -- that was a big commitment. He may be one who has a hard time on his own -- no brakes, no one to keep him on a good path, nowhere to report every day to be told what his duties were. *I am in no way mitigating what he did, please know.* Kids get in trouble that way, as we know, and irresponsible or immature or maladjusted, etc., etc., adults do, too. It looks like he was one of those types, IMO. So glad he is locked up and has serious charges against him.

Sadly, too late for Ashanti and her grieving family, but I'm hoping he never has another opportunity to ruin any other lives. SMH. Oh, this is so damn aggravating and so very sad. Ashanti was truly one of the good ones -- responsible, mature, loving, wanting to improve herself and working hard to get there. Her parents, I'm sure, were very proud of her. What a loss to them and to the world at large. Yes, she was a good one.

 

[borndem]

Happy 242nd Birthday, Devil Dogs!!!
​

 

[sarriehoo]

Great info, sarriehoo -- thanks!

I kind of thought the medals weren't a big deal, and I appreciate your DH's comments. So, as I had thought, he was no better than an average sailor for 21 years... Okay. I'm not trying to take away that he did serve his country (and ours) for 21 years -- that was a big commitment. He may be one who has a hard time on his own -- no brakes, no one to keep him on a good path, nowhere to report every day to be told what his duties were. *I am in no way mitigating what he did, please know.* Kids get in trouble that way, as we know, and irresponsible or immature or maladjusted, etc., etc., adults do, too. It looks like he was one of those types, IMO. So glad he is locked up and has serious charges against him.

Sadly, too late for Ashanti and her grieving family, but I'm hoping he never has another opportunity to ruin any other lives. SMH. Oh, this is so damn aggravating and so very sad. Ashanti was truly one of the good ones -- responsible, mature, loving, wanting to improve herself and working hard to get there. Her parents, I'm sure, were very proud of her. What a loss to them and to the world at large. Yes, she was a good one.

Couldn't agree more! There are so many great men and women in uniform and some bad apples. Unfortunately for Ashanti, it seems this one made it through by mostly staying out of trouble (4x Good Conduct Medals), but was probably a below average performer. I'm wondering if any of the lewd comments/behavior we've heard about with regard to Ashanti showed up in the workplace? If his lack of many personal medals reflects a career personality conflicts - good enough at his job but hard to work with? I'm just spitballing.


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