An Alexandria, Virginia woman, Chelsea Perkins, aged 35, has officially entered a guilty plea to charges related to the murder of Matthew Dunmire, a man she had previously known. The incident in question transpired in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, a site normally associated with tranquility and nature.
It was confirmed by prosecutors that Perkins had, in fact, driven over 300 miles from her home to meet Dunmire at the park on March 6, 2021. Per court documents, their journey together led them off the beaten path at Terra Vista Natural Study Area, where Perkins proceeded to tragically shoot Dunmire in the back of the head with a loaded firearm she had brought along.
Evidence that tied Perkins to the crime was varied and conclusive, comprising GPS data, DNA samples, threads of communication from social media and phone records, as well as ballistics matching the weapon to the crime. In a dramatic twist, a federal search warrant executed at the Perkins residence led to the discovery of three 9mm pistols. Notably, one was found in a purse that also housed Perkins' ID, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio.
Perkins' guilty plea yesterday encompasses second-degree murder and the usage and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime on federal property. Subject to the Court's acceptance of the plea agreement, Perkins faces a sentence that ranges between 20 and 25 years in prison. A federal district court judge has been tasked to determine the final sentence, taking into consideration the plea agreement alongside the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 9.
The investigation was a cooperative effort involving the FBI's Cleveland Division, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the National Park Service's Investigative Branch, the Valley View Police Department, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Zarzycki, Margaret A. Kane, and Adam J. Joines are credited with prosecuting this case.
