Russian trial begins for US Soldier arrested on theft charges in Vladivostok

| June 7, 2024

As you guys remember reading, Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, 34, flew to Vladivostok, Russia, to see his girlfriend. He ended up being arrested after she accused him of theft. A Russian court began the trial process for Black. If he is convicted, he is looking to serve up to five years in prison.

From the Military Times:

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported from the courtroom in the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok that Black agreed to testify in the trial and will respond to the accusations against him later in the proceedings. The report also cited local police as saying that Black is cooperating with the authorities.

Black’s arrest further complicates U.S. relations with Russia, which have grown increasingly tense as the fighting in Ukraine continues.

Russia is holding a number of Americans in its jails, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The U.S. government has designated both men as wrongfully detained and has been trying to negotiate for their release.

Others detained include Travis Leake, a musician who had been living in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher in Moscow who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

The U.S. State Department strongly advises American citizens not to go to Russia.

Under Pentagon policy, service members must get clearance for any international travel from a security manager or commander.

The U.S. Army said last month that Black hadn’t sought clearance for the international travel and it wasn’t authorized by the Defense Department. Given the hostilities in Ukraine and ongoing threats to the U.S. and its military, it is extremely unlikely he would have been granted approval.

Additional Reading:

Associated Press Staff. (2024, Jun 6). Russian court begins trial of US soldier arrested on theft charges. Associated Press News. Link.

Category: International Affairs, Russia, Veterans in the news

19 Comments
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President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neande

Who was it said (to the effect), men have two heads, and only enough blood for one at a time.

God…”Adam, I’ve got good news, bad news, and advice for you.”

Adam…”What’s the good news?”

God…”I’m giving you a brain and a penis.”

Adam…”OK, what’s the bad news?”

God…”I’m only giving you enough blood to use one at a time.”

Adam…”What’s the advice?”

God…”Never use your penis to think with.”

Dumbass shoulda took God’s advice.

26Limabeans

Never put your ass in a sling and expect to get laid.
You will most likely get fucked instead.

Veritas Omnia Vincit

Ain’t no pussy in the world worth risking a trip to Russia…when you distill it down there’s no pussy in the world worth risking half your shit for right here in the USA…

Even when I was a young man I knew the truth of this…

Once she leaves only a fool chases her…let her go and find some new lady.

That shit about chasing after her only works in the movies.

In real life it just means you’re weak. Never chase someone who thinks you’re expendable during an argument…because if they think that pissed off you can bet your ass they’ve thought about when they’re not pissed off as well and that means you were never the first choice…it’s not worth being anyone’s second option no matter what you think.

That will never end well.

Sam

Baby, I ain’t the forgiving kind:

Sam

Disabled? Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Let It Ride (Lyrics HD)

rgr769

One day-trip to East Berlin was all it took for me to realize it was a bad idea to visit totalitarian dictator ruled counties. Ditto for third world shitholes like Ol’ Mehico.

rgr769

That should say “countries” not counties. Plus, I should add that visiting nations where one has no legal rights is a bad idea for American citizens.

RCAF-CHAIRBORNE

Soon, he girlfriend of Gulag Grigori

Hack Stone

Can you purchase Ramen Noodles from a Russian Prison Commissary? Maybe he do a Shawshank Redemption thing and use a poster of Natasha Fatale to hide his tunnel.

Jimbo

Ramen noodles might be what the guards get.

Hack Stone

I could also be what cell blocks are constructed of.

RCAF-CHAIRBORNE

No indoor plumbing to crawl through 🤷

A Proud Infidel®™

DUMBASS!!!

Jimbo

For sure. There is no gray area in this. It’s pretty much black and white.

Anonymous

Concur about that dude:
comment image

Anonymous

Idjiot.

fm2176

SSG Black at least knows how to present himself at trial: “Assume the position of attention on the command FALL IN or the command Squad (platoon), ATTENTION.”

Whenever he returns to the States, he’ll have his little “love me” wall, replete with the pieces of cloth and metal he got before he stepped on his Schwanz. He’ll look back to the time before that appendage got him in trouble, think of all of the young Soldiers pointing and saying, “that was my Drill Sergeant”, eventually using him as part of their safety briefs once they become 1SGs and CSMs, and know that he made a difference. We need both good and bad examples of how to conduct ourselves and how to lead others. Black’s legacy will be that of what not to do, how not to interact with women (especially foreign nationals), and that the “hard right” is an easy choice when faced with the alternative.

Anonymous

Do not, repeat DO NOT, let your d*ck think for you.