1. U.S. soldier charged with homicide and robbery
2. Plot to fund fighting trip to Venezuela ends in charges for former soldier.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A former U.S. army veteran appeared in federal court on Monday after being extradited from Ukraine to face charges related to the brutal murder of a Florida couple in 2018. Craig Austin Lang, 34, and Alex Jared Zwiefelhofer, 27, are accused of killing the couple in order to steal their money and fund a trip to fight against the Venezuelan government.
Lang and Zwiefelhofer had previously traveled to Ukraine to allegedly combat Russian separatists before moving on to Kenya to fight militant groups. However, their plans were thwarted when they were detained while attempting to cross into South Sudan. Upon reuniting in Florida, the duo planned to steal a boat to travel to Venezuela, according to authorities.
Details of the Crime
To fund their expedition, Lang and Zwiefelhofer allegedly arranged to sell firearms to the Florida couple during a planned exchange in a parking lot. However, the exchange turned deadly when the two men ambushed the couple, resulting in their tragic deaths. Zwiefelhofer was convicted earlier this year and faces a potential life sentence for his involvement in the crime.
Lang’s extradition from Ukraine came after the European Court of Human Rights rejected his claim challenging extradition under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Victims
The couple, identified as Serafin Lorenzo Jr. and Deana K. Lorenzo, were planning to purchase firearms that Lang and Zwiefelhofer had listed for sale on a website called Armslist. The duo allegedly killed the couple in an armed robbery in order to steal the $3,000 that the victims had intended to use for the purchase.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire on the night of April 9, 2018. The following morning, the bodies of the couple were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds, alongside a damaged red GMC truck.
International Connections
In 2017, Lang and Zwiefelhofer, both former U.S. Army soldiers, met in Ukraine where they were reportedly members of a volunteer battalion fighting against Russian separatists. Following their detainment in Kenya and deportation to the U.S., the pair reunited in Florida in April 2018.
Lang faces a range of charges including violating the Neutrality Act, conspiracy to commit violent acts in a foreign country, and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. If convicted on all counts, he could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
This case highlights the complexities of international conflicts and the tragic consequences that can result from misguided actions. The legal proceedings against Lang serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of upholding justice and accountability in the face of such heinous crimes.
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1. Former US soldier charged with homicide and robbery in plot to fund fighting trip to Venezuela
2. Former US soldier accused of homicide and robbery in scheme to finance trip to Venezuela for fighting.
