U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas
Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2008

Shana Jones, Special Assistant Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer
(210) 384-7440

KILLEEN MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR DEATH OF SOLDIER AT FORT HOOD

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in Waco this afternoon, 23-year-old Ravis Neal Key, II, of Killeen, Texas, was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison for intoxication manslaughter.

In addition to the prison term, Chief United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr., ordered that Key pay $8,086 restitution and be placed under supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.

On the morning of June 30, 2008, Key was driving in excess of 75 miles per hour when he slammed into a vehicle stopped in front of him at a traffic light at the intersection of Tank Destroyer Boulevard and Clarke Road on Fort Hood. The collision propelled the stopped vehicle, driven by Sergeant Andre M. Araujo, into the intersection where it was subsequently struck by a third vehicle and caught fire. Sergeant Araujo sustained massive injuries as a result of the accident and was airlifted to Scott and White Hospital in Temple before passing away on July 1, 2008, as a result of those injuries.

During treatment at the hospital following the accident, an examination of the Key’s blood contents revealed the presence of controlled substances including high levels of benzodiazepines, opiates, amphetamines and cannabinoids.

On October 9, 2008, Key pleaded guilty to one count of intoxication manslaughter.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Army Military Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Frazier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Neil Stephenson prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.