LET'S MAKE VETERANS CEMETERIES GREAT AGAIN! 🇺🇸

****Please Note: U.S. Senate Bill S.1071, the bill to disinter Fernando Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, passed the Senate unanimously in August and was held by the House just 11 minutes after passage.

U.S. Senate Bill S.2807 — not S.2078 — was introduced in September. This is Teresa’s Law, also known as The RESPECT Act, created to ensure this never, ever happens again.****

 

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Petition to REMOVE Fernando Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, STRIP HIM OF ALL MILITARY HONORS, and Enforce Teresa’s Law: A Demand for Justice and Accountability

 

To: The President of the United States, The Department of Defense, U.S. Congress, U.S. Veterans Affairs, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, National Cemetery Administration, The American People, and all relevant authorities:

 

🇺🇸 Introduction: This Petition is About Veterans and the Integrity of Their Final Resting Place 🇺🇸

Our veterans are the backbone of this country, the brave men and women who fought for our freedoms and sacrificed everything to protect our nation. They have earned the honor of being laid to rest in our national cemeteries, where they can be remembered for their courage, service, and sacrifice. These hallowed grounds are sacred, meant only for those who served with honor and integrity.

 

This petition is not just about one man—Fernando Cota—but about the sanctity of our national cemeteries and the respect we owe to our veterans. It’s about ensuring that the final resting places of our heroes are protected from those who have violated the trust and duty that come with serving this country.

 

Fernando Cota’s burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is an affront to all those who have honorably served in the military. He does not belong among them. His actions, crimes, and the pain he caused are incompatible with the values and sacrifices of our fallen heroes. This petition is a call to action, a demand that the integrity of our cemeteries be upheld, that criminals who have caused unimaginable harm be removed, and that no more disrespectful violations occur.

 

We stand for the dignity and memory of those who served. We stand for the victims of criminals like Cota. And we stand for the future of our national cemeteries—ensuring that they remain a place of honor, not a place for the dishonorable. This is about justice, respect, and the memory of our veterans.

 

Enough is enough. We demand the immediate removal of Fernando Cota from the hallowed grounds of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. This man is a monster—a serial murderer, a predator, and a coward—and he does not belong resting among the brave souls who sacrificed everything for our country. His place is not here.

 

Fernando Cota’s actions are nothing short of pure evil. This man was a predator who murdered, tortured, and violated innocent women for his twisted pleasure. His name is a stain on the legacy of those who fought for freedom. Cota's body has no right to be among the heroes—he is a disgrace to every fallen soldier. Veterans do not deserve to have their legacy stained by the presence of this monster.

 

The Truth About Fernando Cota

 

Fernando Cota’s reign of terror lasted for years. He was a predator who stalked and victimized women, committing horrific crimes that left scars on the victims and their families. In 1975, Cota attacked and raped a nurse, leaving her physically and emotionally scarred. Even after serving a mere 8 years for his violent crimes, he was released, only to continue his attacks. His heinous acts persisted, as he continued to stalk, violate, and murder women, leaving behind a trail of evidence that pointed to his guilt. Cota’s crimes were too numerous to count, and he was responsible for the suffering of countless victims who never had a chance at justice.

 

Authorities discovered that Cota had a van outfitted for kidnapping women and torturing them. The van was equipped with restraints, tools for inflicting pain, and various items used to keep women captive. He had a dungeon in his apartment, where he would imprison, torture, and sexually assault his victims. Authorities also found blood and other evidence from victims, some of whom remain unidentified to this day. The presence of this evidence clearly indicates that Cota was responsible for a series of murders and assaults. Among the items discovered were false police identification and a fake badge, suggesting that Cota may have been posing as an officer, further exploiting his position of trust and authority to manipulate and ensnare his victims.

 

In addition to these disturbing findings, flyers for roommates at the university were discovered in his possession. These flyers were part of Cota’s twisted plan to lure women in under the guise of looking for a place to live, giving him the perfect opportunity to abduct and torture them. These chilling facts demonstrate the extent of his depravity and his meticulous planning for his crimes. Cota was a skilled predator, using various tactics to stalk and victimize women.

 

Cota's burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is an insult to the memory of our fallen heroes. This man is a murderer, a predator, and a disgrace to the uniform he once wore. He should not be allowed to rest on sacred grounds meant for those who have served honorably and given their lives for our country. His burial must be reversed, and his body removed from the cemetery immediately.

 

The Victims

 

Cota's actions have scarred many lives, with his crimes spanning years of terror and leaving a trail of pain, suffering, and loss. His victims are not just numbers, they are real people whose lives were forever changed by his brutality.

 

Here are the victims:

 

Teresa Sunder, 29 years old, was brutally murdered by Fernando Cota on September 30, 1984. Teresa was found in an abandoned house, naked and violated, by children who stumbled upon her lifeless body. Teresa’s death was horrific, and the pain she endured before her death was unimaginable. Fernando Cota took her life, and her death is something I will never forget. Teresa was my mother. Her brutal murder was one of Cota’s many heinous crimes, yet he managed to evade full justice.

 

Kelly Ralston, 21 years old, was stabbed to death by an intruder in her San Jose apartment on September 10, 1984. Her body was discovered after a brutal attack, leaving her life violently stolen by Cota.

 

Gwendolyn Hoffman, 57 years old, disappeared from her home in Campbell, California on September 11, 1984. Her strangled body was recovered from the trunk of her own car two days later, on September 13, 1984.

 

Lori Miller, 20 years old, was reported missing on September 26, 1984. She was found in a ravine a few days later, on October 6, 1984. She had been bound, tortured, and strangled. Her body was discovered just a few miles from her home, where Cota had lived near her apartment.

 

Joan Leslie, 28 years old, was a transient who was stabbed to death by Cota. Her body was discovered near Aptos, California, on September 30, 1984.

 

Kim Dunham, 21 years old, was found in a wooden box resembling a coffin inside a white van after a police chase on October 14, 1984. She had been raped and strangled. Fernando Cota had been caught with her body after attempting to take his own life. He had been driving the van that contained her remains when police found him.

 

These women—Teresa, Kelly, Gwendolyn, Lori, Joan, and Kim—are just the beginning. These women are no longer with us because of Cota's sick and perverse obsession. The horror he inflicted on them is beyond comprehension. They have names, they have faces, and they deserve justice, not the disgrace of this man’s presence on our sacred soil.

 

Fernando Cota is to Be STRIPPED of All Military Honors

 

Fernando Cota does not deserve the dignity or respect that comes with military honors. His service is overshadowed by the atrocities he committed. We demand that:

 

1. All military honors, benefits, and recognitions associated with Cota be revoked immediately.

 

2. His name be erased from any records that honor military service.

 

3. His burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery be reversed, and his body removed from sacred military grounds.

 

No rapist, no murderer, no serial predator should ever be allowed to retain military honors. The military uniform is a symbol of integrity, courage, and sacrifice—Cota represents none of these. His actions are a betrayal of everything the military stands for, and allowing him to keep any form of recognition is an insult to every honorable service member who has ever worn the uniform. Cota, a former U.S. Army Sergeant, disgraced the uniform and all the honor that comes with it. His crimes are a betrayal to the very ideals of duty, honor, and country that the military stands for.

 

Teresa’s Law: A Demand for Action 

(ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO BE ADDED AND OR REVISED)

We call for the immediate enactment of Teresa’s Law, which will protect the sanctity of national cemeteries, ensure justice for the victims of violent criminals, and hold those responsible for dishonorable actions accountable:

 

1. Prohibit violent criminals from burial in national cemeteries and veterans cemeteries. No person convicted of murder, rape, sexual assault, or crimes against humanity should ever be honored with a burial in any U.S. national cemetery or veterans cemetery.

 

2. Stripping of all military honors, medals, and benefits from any service member convicted of violent crimes, including acts of terrorism, treason, crimes committed while in or out of uniform, on or off military installations, crimes against the United States of America, and crimes against children. This will include the revocation of all military benefits, as those who act dishonorably should not be entitled to the same recognition as those who served with integrity.

 

3. Establish oversight and accountability for burials in national and veterans cemeteries. Teresa’s Law will ensure that violent criminals are not buried among our heroes, and oversight will be implemented to prevent future violations.

 

4. Prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for the burial of criminals convicted of violent crimes, including murder, rape, and trafficking.

 

5. Create a public database of all burials in national and veterans cemeteries, including criminal histories, to ensure full transparency and allow citizens to report violations.

 

6. Legal action against agencies and individuals violating Teresa’s Law. Those found responsible for allowing the burial of violent criminals in national and veterans cemeteries must face investigation, penalties, and public accountability.

 

Inclusion of the 1997 and 2013 Laws:

 

The 1997 National Cemetery Burial Act and 2013 National Cemetery Protection Act clearly prohibit the burial of individuals convicted of violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and other felonies. Under these statutes:

 

38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(1) mandates that national cemeteries are reserved for those who have served in the military and honorably discharged. However, the law does not allow for burial of anyone convicted of a crime such as murder, sexual assault, or violent felonies, as stipulated under 38 U.S.C. § 2411.

 

38 U.S.C. § 2411 also prohibits any individual convicted of heinous crimes from being buried in veterans cemeteries, specifically those convicted of crimes like murder and sexual assault.

 

Cota’s burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a direct violation of these laws, as he was responsible for multiple heinous crimes, including murder. His burial in this cemetery disregards the intent and spirit of the 1997 National Cemetery Burial Act and the 2013 National Cemetery Protection Act. These violations will be enforced under Teresa's Law, which will ensure that no criminal like Cota is ever again allowed to be buried in our national cemeteries.

 

Violations Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)

 

The burial of Fernando Cota at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a direct violation of the values and standards upheld by the United States Army and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Cota was convicted of rape and served eight years in prison, but if justice had been fully served, he would have also been convicted of murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, torture, and other heinous crimes. His crimes disqualify him from any honor associated with military service, and his presence among our nation’s heroes is a disgrace that must be corrected.

 

Under the UCMJ, the following articles would have applied to Cota’s crimes:

 

Article 118 - Murder: Cota was a suspected serial killer linked to at least six murders, including that of Teresa Sunder. A conviction under Article 118 would have resulted in life imprisonment or the death penalty.

 

Article 120 - Rape and Sexual Assault: Cota was convicted of rape and served eight years in prison. Given his history, it is highly likely he committed more sexual assaults that went unpunished.

 

Article 125 - Forcible Sodomy: The brutal nature of Cota’s crimes suggests this charge could have been applicable.

 

Article 128 - Assault and Aggravated Assault: His acts of torture and violence against multiple victims would have warranted additional charges under this article.

 

Article 133 - Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman: Though Cota was an enlisted soldier, not an officer, his crimes grossly violated the Army’s code of honor and military ethics.

 

Article 134 - General Article (Bringing Discredit to the Armed Forces): Cota’s actions brought extreme dishonor to the United States Army and the entire U.S. military. Allowing him to remain buried at a national cemetery only deepens this disgrace.

 

Additionally, under Title 38, U.S. Code, Section 2411, individuals convicted of capital crimes are barred from burial in national cemeteries. While Cota was only convicted of rape, had he been properly prosecuted for murder, torture, and other crimes, his burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery would have been automatically prohibited. Teresa’s Law seeks to close this loophole by ensuring that individuals with overwhelming evidence of heinous crimes—regardless of whether they were convicted of all offenses—are permanently disqualified from receiving military honors in death.

 

The U.S. Army holds its soldiers to a standard of honor, integrity, and service. Allowing a violent predator and suspected serial killer to remain buried among our nation’s true heroes is an insult to every soldier who served with distinction. His removal is not just necessary—it is a duty owed to those who gave their lives with honor.

 

Demand Action Now

This is not just about Fernando Cota. This is about ensuring that no criminal can ever be buried among our heroes again. It’s about making sure that no one can hide behind the failures of the justice system and take advantage of a system meant to honor the fallen. Cota was allowed to bypass justice and be buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery despite the many victims he left behind. This must never happen again.

 

🚨SEE LATEST UPDATE!🚨

The VA is trying to cover up Fernando Cota’s horrific past by citing Public Law 113-65, claiming his honorable discharge justifies his burial despite his rape conviction. 

The only way he could be buried despite his rape conviction. This blatant manipulation of Public Law 113-65 is a direct violation of the 1997, 2013 and 2014 laws + the UCMJ!

Fernando Cota’s burial in a VA cemetery is a blatant violation of multiple laws, including the 1997, 2013, and 2014 laws designed to bar criminals, especially violent offenders, from receiving military burial honors.

 

The 1997 & 2013 laws prohibit VA burial for convicted rapists, murderers, and other felons. Since Cota was convicted of rape and suspected of multiple murders, he should have been disqualified.

 

The 2014 law specifically bars Tier III sex offenders sentenced to life imprisonment from being buried in VA cemeteries. While Cota may not have received a life sentence, his crimes meet the spirit and intent of this law, which was meant to keep dangerous predators out of VA cemeteries.

 

The VA is using his honorable discharge record as an excuse to override these laws, effectively covering up his brutal crimes and violating their own regulations.

 

This is a disgraceful cover-up. Cota's victims were denied dignity—why should he be honored? The VA must be held accountable for violating these laws and dishonoring true veteran

 

We demand action. We demand that Fernando Cota’s body be removed from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, that all his military honors be stripped, and that Teresa’s Law be enacted immediately to protect the integrity of our national and veterans cemeteries.

🚨 This thread on X to President Trump has all the latest information on Fernando Cota. Including a report from Ann Vandersteel and a recent report from KENS5 featuring Esther Ludlow from Once Apon A Crime. 👇

https://x.com/N_S_F_B_W/status/1991130729531486502

Sign the petition. Stand up for justice. Demand action now.

#MVCGA #DIGUPCOTA #TeresasLaw #RESPECTAct #HoldTheLine #NoHonorForRapists