US soldier sentenced to nearly 4 years in Russian prison on theft conviction
An American soldier has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian prison after he pleaded guilty to theft.
A court in Russia’s eastern city of Vladivostok convicted Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, of stealing and making threats of murder, sentencing him to three years and nine months in prison, The Associated Press reported.
Black was arrested in Vladivostok on May 2 and placed in pretrial detention. He admitted guilt and was cooperating with the investigation with the help of an English translator after he was accused of stealing from his girlfriend.
Russia’s state news agencies reported that the judge also ordered Black to pay 10,000 rubles, or $115, in damages. Prosecutors asked for a sentence of four years and eight months, the AP noted.
The sentencing comes amid heightened tensions over Russia arresting several Americans as the war in Ukraine carries on. The U.S. State Department strongly urges Americans not to go to Russia.
Black was stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea before making an unauthorized trip to Russia. The U.S. Department of Defense said he was processed out of the South Korea station on April 10 and was leaving to be stationed in Texas when he traveled to Russia for “personal reasons.”
His mother claims he was lured to Russia by his girlfriend, Aleksandra Vashchuk, and set up.
The couple reportedly had a conflict when he arrived in Russia and Vashchuk discovered money was missing and turned to law enforcement for help, Russian state-run media reported.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry office said Black’s detention has nothing to do with politics or espionage, but the U.S. Defense Department said it is investigating the circumstances of his arrest.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
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