Murder charges filed in connection with death of Perry Township soldier

A soldier at a U.S. military base in New York is accused of killing a comrade from Perry Township.

Army Specialist Jacob Ashton, 21, was found dead at Fort Drum in upstate New York, about 70 miles north of Syracuse, on August 5. A week later, Army Specialist Riley Birbilas was charged in connection with Ashton's death.

Birbilias, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He is being held at the Oneida County Correctional Facility in Oriskany, New York, while he awaits a preliminary hearing conducted through the military justice system.

Further details about the circumstances of Ashton's death were not provided in the press release. The investigation into the case is ongoing, the Fort Drum Public Information Office said.

Ashton and Birbilas both served as infantrymen. They were assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Combat Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum.

Ashton graduated from Perry High School in 2021 and joined the Army that same year. He deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in 2023.

Ashton's awards and decorations included the Army Commendation Medal with C Device, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Birbilas, whose hometown is Kodiak, Alaska, also joined the Army in 2021 and was deployed to Iraq.

Ashton's grandmother, Sherry Ashton, said she and her grandson had “a relationship so special that words cannot describe it.”

“He was my everything,” she said. “He had a heart of gold.”

Sherry also noted that her grandson was a longtime fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

“One thing I will miss a lot is the text messages between Jacob, his dad and I during Steelers and Pirates games,” said Sherry, who lives in Mentor. “I looked forward to those games because I knew he was watching with us during his time in the Army.”

Sherry said she wants her grandson Jacob to be remembered as a true friend to all his companions.

“He would do anything for his friends … they could always count on Jacob to be there for them,” she said.

While at Perry High School, Ashton was also a member of the football team, playing wide receiver and defensive back for the Pirates.

During a phone interview on August 15, former Perry High School football coach Matt Rosati shared some fond memories of Ashton.

“He was a very popular young man,” Rosati said. “He was a very good athlete. His teammates respected him and he got along with pretty much everyone.”