FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The U.S. Army has confirmed that both a retired Army Master Sergeant charged with second-degree forcible rape and his wife, who faces felony accessory charges, are currently employed as civilian personnel at Fort Bragg, adding a new dimension to an already serious criminal case pending in Cumberland County.
Miguel Angel Cruznieves, 47, was arrested Jan. 7, 2026, following a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted his stepdaughter inside the family’s Hope Mills home in March 2025. According to court records, he is charged with second-degree forcible rape, incest, and sexual battery.
The arrest warrant alleges that Cruznieves “did carnally know and abuse” the victim while she was “mentally incapacitated” and “physically helpless.” The sexual battery charge further alleges he engaged in sexual contact for the purpose of sexual arousal while knowing — or reasonably knowing — that the victim was incapacitated.
While Cruznieves retired from active-duty service, the Army Reserve confirmed this week that he is currently employed as a civilian employee with U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg.
“Mr. Miguel Angel Cruz Nieves is a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.,” the Army Reserve Press Desk stated in response to a media inquiry. “As a matter of policy, we do not discuss ongoing civilian law enforcement and legal matters, nor speculate on any possible employee-administrative actions.”
Court records show Cruznieves was initially held and later released on a $100,000 unsecured bond following a bond modification hearing on Jan. 8. A disposition hearing is currently scheduled for March 24, 2026, in Cumberland District Court.
The case also involves Cruznieves’ wife, Amanda Lea Cruz, 40, who was arrested the same day and charged with two felony counts of accessory after the fact .
According to the charging documents, prosecutors allege that after being informed of the alleged assault, she knowingly assisted her husband in attempting to avoid detection and prosecution. The warrant alleges she washed her daughter’s bedsheets containing alleged physical evidence after being told about the assault.
In a separate statement, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command confirmed that Amanda Cruz is also employed as a civilian employee at Fort Bragg.
“Ms. Amanda Cruz is a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.,” spokesperson Paul Boyce wrote in an email response.
She was released Jan. 7 on a $25,000 secured bond posted through a professional surety. Her next scheduled court appearance is Feb. 24, 2026.
Court event logs reflect that both defendants executed waivers of counsel during initial appearances before District Court Judge Caitlin Young Evans on Jan. 8. Subsequent filings show Miguel Cruznieves has retained private defense counsel, James H. Baker.
Both Army entities declined to comment on whether any employment-related administrative action has been initiated, citing policy against discussing ongoing legal matters.
The confirmations establish that both defendants remain connected to Army organizations at Fort Bragg as civilian employees while facing felony charges in civilian court.
Investigators allege the offenses occurred between March 27 and March 28, 2025, inside the family residence. The criminal case remains pending, and no findings of guilt have been entered.
All charges are allegations contained in court filings. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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