Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Tennessee Man Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years in Prison for First-Degree Murder in the Death of His U.S. Army Soldier Wife at Fort Campbell
Louisville, KY – A Clarksville, Tennessee man, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to life, plus 10 years, in prison for the October 14, 2018, murder of his wife and shooting of another man at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Victor E. Silvers, 33, was sentenced in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, to life in prison, plus an additional consecutive 10 years in prison, for first-degree murder, attempted murder, domestic violence resulting in death, violation of a protective order resulting in death, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Ronald Yeatts of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Midcentral Field Office, made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Silvers drove from his Clarksville, Tennessee, residence to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky military installation on October 14, 2018. Silvers then shot his estranged wife, Brittney Silvers, three times, killing her. Silvers also shot another man, James Keating. Five days before the murder, Brittney Silvers had been granted a Domestic Violence Order of Protection that prohibited Silvers from being within 300 feet of her or committing violent acts against her. Due to the Domestic Violence Order of Protection entered against him, Silvers was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Brittney Silvers was a U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, at the time of her murder.
“I commend the work of the FBI, ATF, and Army CID during the investigation of this matter as well as the prosecution team for their outstanding presentation of the case at trial,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Fort Campbell is home to numerous military units and organizations to include, the 101st Airborne Division, the 5th Special Forces Group, and the 160th Special Aviation Operations Regiment. The Soldiers assigned to Fort Campbell, their family members, and those who live and work on the installation were accustomed to feeling safe and secure within its boundaries. Silvers shattered the sense of security when he violently murdered his wife and shot another victim in October 2018. As a result of his brutal actions, he will justifiably spend the remainder of his life in a federal prison cell.”
“Domestic violence oftentimes cripples extended families and even entire communities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Brittney’s family, friends, and the Fort Campbell community will never be rid of the pain from this senseless murder, but hopefully this sentence gives everyone some sense of resolve knowing Silvers will spend the remainder of his life in a cell.”
“I commend the efforts of the ATF agents, our law enforcement partners, and the prosecution team who worked diligently on this investigation to bring this killer to justice,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the Louisville Division. “We hope this sentence brings some sense of healing to the victims’ families and sends a very clear message that ATF and our law enforcement partners will not stand by and allow these acts of violence."
This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Army CID.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Hancock, Leigh Ann Dycus, and Raymond McGee of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office prosecuted the case with the assistance of paralegal Christy Crockett.