American Soldier Imprisoned in Russia for Almost 4 Years Following Failed Romance
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia—A U.S. soldier was sentenced on Wednesday to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty by a Russian court of stealing $113 from his girlfriend and making threats to kill her, a Reuters witness reported from the courtroom.
The judgement brings an end to a tumultuous love story that united—and then separated—a married U.S. staff sergeant and a Russian woman after an international romance spanning from South Korea to Russia.
Gordon Black, a 34-year-old U.S. staff sergeant, was arrested on May 2 in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok following a dispute with his girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, whom he had met while in South Korea.
Judge Yelena Stepankova of the Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok found Mr. Black guilty of stealing 10,000 roubles ($113) from Ms. Vashchuk’s purse and threatening to kill her.
“The court determined that Black G. K. between 05/01/2024 and 05/02/2024, while in an apartment on Sakhalinskaya Street in Vladivostok, during an argument that arose from personal animosity, made threats to kill the victim,” the court stated.
He “also committed theft,” the court added.
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Mr. Black, standing in a glass enclosure in the courtroom, received a sentence of three years and nine months in a Russian penal colony and was ordered to repay the 10,000 roubles.
He pleaded not guilty to the threat of killing her, but admitted partial guilt in taking the money, citing necessity. His defense attorney plans to appeal the decision.
Prosecutors claimed that during an argument at Ms. Vashchuk’s home, Mr. Black had grabbed her by the neck and took the money. Mr. Black argued that Ms. Vashchuk had consumed half a bottle of vodka that day, was hostile, and had physically attacked him.
Prosecutors had requested a prison term of four years and eight months, while the defense sought a complete acquittal for Mr. Black.
Ms. Vashchuk was absent from court on Wednesday. Before their falling out, she had previously referred to Mr. Black on social media as her “husband” and playfully as “pindos,” a Russian slang term for Americans that roughly translates to “Yankee punk.”
In April, Mr. Black departed the Eighth Army at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of South Korea for a permanent station transfer back to Fort Cavazos in Texas, but instead traveled to China and then Russia to visit Ms. Vashchuk.
The Pentagon stated he violated army regulations by traveling to Russia and China without authorization.
Mr. Black has a wife and child in Texas. His wife Megan informed Reuters last month that he and Ms. Vashchuk had a turbulent relationship.
Mr. Black’s mother, Melody Jones, informed Reuters that he pursued his girlfriend to Russia despite their intense disagreements.
U.S. President Joe Biden assures he is working diligently to repatriate the Americans detained in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that discussions regarding a potential exchange involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich have occurred, but the Kremlin has consistently cautioned Washington that these talks should take place without media coverage.
Mr. Gershkovich will face a closed-door trial next week on charges of espionage. He denies allegations of gathering secrets for the U.S. CIA.
($1 = 85.2455 roubles)
