MOSCOW (AP) – An appellate court in Russia's far east has reduced the prison sentence of Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, an American soldier, who was convicted of theft and making murder threats. The news was reported by Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti on Monday.
Black, 34, traveled to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, in May 2024 to visit his girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk. He was arrested following accusations from Vashchuk that he stole money from her. After a month-long legal process, a court in Vladivostok convicted him and sentenced him to three years and nine months in prison. He was also ordered to pay her 10,000 rubles, equivalent to about $115 at the time.
Despite losing an initial appeal in a regional court, Black's defense team sought further review. On Monday, the 9th Court of Cassation agreed to partially sustain their request, reducing his sentence to three years and two months in prison. The judge agreed to acquit him of making murder threats while still penalizing him for theft.
The case is emblematic of the growing tensions between Russia and the West, with several Americans having faced legal troubles in Russia in recent years. Notable cases include Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive, and Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, both of whom were characterized by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained and were released in prisoner swaps. Other Americans, however, remain imprisoned in Russia due to various convictions related to drug offenses or assaults.
Among those still detained are Robert Gilman, 72, who received a 3 1/2-year sentence for assaulting a police officer, and Travis Leake, a musician sentenced to 13 years on drug charges in July 2024. These cases illustrate the varying degrees of legal challenges faced by Americans in Russia.
Prior to his arrest, Black had been stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea with the Eighth Army and was in the process of returning to his home base at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The U.S. Army confirmed that Black had signed out for his move back home but instead chose to travel from Incheon, South Korea, through China to Vladivostok for personal reasons. This move was not authorized, as under Pentagon policy, service members are required to obtain clearance for any international travel.
The U.S. Army indicated that given the geopolitical tensions, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is highly unlikely that Black would have received approval for his trip to Russia.
During the incident that led to his arrest, Vashchuk disclosed to reporters that the situation was a simple domestic dispute. However, she also alleged that Black became aggressive during the altercation and took money from her wallet. She described him as violent and lacking self-control.
U.S. officials have noted that Black met Vashchuk during his deployment in South Korea, and she had been residing there before the altercation. Following their dispute, Vashchuk left South Korea; however, the specifics surrounding her departure and whether it was compelled by authorities remain unclear.
