A former U.S. Marine and Army veteran from New York has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting his role in a brutal kidnapping and murder that happened more than a decade ago.
The case, which dates back to 2014, involved the killing of a man the accused believed was helping law enforcement. After years of investigation, authorities finally uncovered the truth, bringing some closure to the victim’s family.
20-Year Prison Sentence in Kidnapping and Murder Case
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that Anthony Neubauer, 39, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a kidnapping that led to the death of Joseph Anthony in 2014.
On Tuesday, Neubauer was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors said he played a key role in luring the victim to a property in Pennsylvania, where the crime took place.
Officials explained that Neubauer and his co-defendant believed the victim was cooperating with police in a law enforcement investigation. They decided to silence him permanently.
How the Crime Happened
According to court documents, Neubauer and his co-defendant, Matthew Rudy, tricked Joseph Anthony into meeting them in May 2014. They promised him cocaine and convinced him to travel to Rudy’s property in Pennsylvania.
While driving there, Neubauer reportedly held a gun to the back of Anthony’s seat. Once they reached the property, they forced him up a hill.
There, Neubauer shot Anthony in the back of the head and torso. After the shooting, the body was buried on the property.
The case remained unsolved for years. FBI agents searched the land three separate times over seven years but could not find the remains. It was only after Rudy later revealed the exact location that authorities were able to recover the body.
Rudy was sentenced last year to five years in prison for his role in the crime.
What Prosecutors Said
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Neubauer and his co-defendant went to extreme lengths to silence someone they believed was cooperating with law enforcement.
He added that even though many years had passed, investigators stayed committed to solving the case. Their persistence eventually led to Neubauer’s conviction and sentence.
Neubauer’s Military Background
Neubauer’s defence lawyer, Eric M. Soehnlein, shared details about his client’s past in a sentencing memo.
After leaving school in the 11th grade, Neubauer joined the United States Marine Corps soon after the 9/11 attacks. During his time in service, he was deployed overseas, including to Iraq, where he saw combat.
Later, he joined the United States Army and served as a ranger. He was eventually discharged in 2014 due to injuries.
His lawyer said Neubauer struggled after returning to civilian life in upstate New York. He reportedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and developed severe substance abuse problems. At one point, he was drinking up to 30 beers a day and heavily using drugs.
Life After the Military
According to court filings, Neubauer became involved with drug dealers and worked as muscle to intimidate or fight people over unpaid debts. Prosecutors said it was during this period that he committed the murder.
In the years following Anthony’s disappearance, Neubauer’s addiction reportedly worsened. His lawyer claimed that he was even using cocaine in front of federal agents while they were investigating the case.
In 2019, Neubauer was shot at a bar and nearly died. He became paralysed from the waist down after that incident.
Judge Calls the Case “Tragic”
The sentencing was handled by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. During the hearing, she described the situation as tragic.
Neubauer’s defence team had requested a 10-year sentence, pointing to his military service and personal struggles. However, the judge said that a lighter sentence would not be appropriate.
She acknowledged his service but made it clear that intentionally killing someone cannot be overlooked. In the end, she ordered him to serve 20 years in federal prison.
Case Summary
Here is a quick overview of the case:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Anthony Neubauer, 39 |
| Victim | Joseph Anthony |
| Crime Year | 2014 |
| Sentence | 20 years in prison |
| Co-Defendant | Matthew Rudy (5 years) |
| Motive | Belief that victim was cooperating with law enforcement |
| Body Recovered | After co-defendant revealed location |
