Soldier faces charges in death of another soldier from Ohio

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WJW) – A soldier is facing charges in connection to the death of a soldier from Northeast Ohio at Fort Drum in New York.

According to a press release from Fort Drum Public Affairs, Specialist Riley Birbilas, a 10th Mountain Division Soldier, is facing charges of premeditated murder and obstruction of justice in violation of Articles 118 and 131b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in connection to the death of Jacob Ashton.

Jacob Ashton , 21, of Perry ,Ohio was found dead on post on Aug. 5.

Specialist Ashton is from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). He enlisted in 2021 and served in Iraq in 2023.

Ashton’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with C Device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Birbilas is from Kodiak, Alaska, and serves in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He also enlisted in 2021 and has been deployed to Iraq.

Birbilas is now being held in “pretrial confinement” as he waits for a hearing, according to the release.

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