A U.S. soldier detained in the Russian city of Vladivostok has been sentenced to three years and nine months in a Russian penal colony for theft and threats against his girlfriend. The court also ordered him to pay 10,000 rubles ($115) in damages.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, who was detained in Russia in May on suspicion of theft, had traveled to Vladivostok to meet a woman he was romantically involved with.
During their encounter in Russia in April, he allegedly stole $112 from her. Black and Vashchuk initially met in South Korea while he was stationed at Camp Humphreys with the Eighth Army.
Furthermore, Black faced charges of physically assaulting the woman following an altercation. Although the U.S. soldier confessed to the theft charges, he denied making any threats to harm her.
According to TASS, Black’s lawyer announced on Wednesday that they plan to appeal the verdict issued by the Vladivostok court.
During the court proceedings, Black admitted to taking money from the woman’s handbag but asserted that he later transferred $125 to her. He explained that he used the funds for meals and accommodation during his stay, spanning three nights at a hotel.
Furthermore, he instructed the woman to collect a 10,000 ruble security deposit from the landlord after the apartment contract he was funding had concluded, as reported by RIA.
When she appeared in court on Monday, the woman expressed that she wasn’t ready to reconcile with Black because she hadn’t received any compensation for the harm caused.
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