WASHINGTON – A U.S. soldier has been arrested in Russia and charged with theft, according to two U.S. officials.
According to U.S. officials, soldiers Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, was stationed in South Korea and was on his way home to Fort Cavazos, Texas. Instead, officials said he traveled to Russia.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details.
Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith confirmed the soldier was detained Thursday on suspicion of criminal activity in Vladivostok, a major military and commercial port in the Pacific. She said Russia notified the United States and the Army informed the soldiers' families.
“The U.S. State Department is providing appropriate consular support to our soldiers in Russia,” Smith said.
As of Monday, it was unclear whether the soldier would be considered AWOL or inactive.
The arrest comes less than a year after U.S. soldier Travis King sprinted across the heavily fortified border into North Korea. North Korea then announced that it would expel Dr. King, and he was eventually extradited to the United States on charges of desertion.
Russia is known to have a number of Americans in prison, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The US government has deemed both men to have been unlawfully detained and is attempting to negotiate their release.
Others detained include musician Travis Leake, who has lived in Russia for many years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges. Mark Vogel, a teacher in Moscow, was also sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug charges. and dual nationals Ars Kurmasheva and Ksenia Havana.
The soldier's arrest in Russia was first reported by NBC News.
