U.S. Soldier Gordon Black Sentenced to Nearly 4 Years in Russian Penal Colony

Nearly seven weeks after U.S. Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested on charges of stealing in Russia, he has been sentenced to three years and nine months in a penal colony, per the Associated Press, The Washington Post, CNN and ABC News.

According to the AP, Black was convicted of stealing and making threats of murder on June 19 by a court in Russia’s city of Vladivostok. The 34-year-old had been visiting his girlfriend in Vladivostok who accused him of stealing from her, the outlet explained per both U.S. officials and Russian authorities.  

In addition to his sentence, the AP reported that Russia’s state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti have said Black has also been ordered to pay 10,000 rubles ($120) in damages.

His trial began just two days prior, ABC News reported per Russian media, and while he did not admit to the charges of assault or threat to kill, he pleaded partially guilty to charges of theft.

According to CNN, ​​Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that when speaking to the Pervomaisky District Court on Monday, Black said that after taking money from the woman’s purse — which he said he spent on food and three nights in a hotel — he transferred $125 to her the next day. In addition, the news agency reported that Black said the woman would collect a deposit of 10,000 rubles from the landlord after the lease of the apartment, which he paid for, ended. 

The Washington Post identified the woman as Alexandra Vashchuk. Per Russian outlet Interfax, via the Post, Black was arrested after a fight in the couple’s shared apartment where in addition to taking money, he allegedly grabbed Vashchuk by the neck. Black claimed she started hitting him and acting aggressively after consuming half a bottle of vodka, the news agency reported.

U.S. Officials told ABC News in May that Black had been stationed in South Korea and was on temporary leave at the time of his arrest though he had not been granted permission to travel to Russia.

Black’s parents previously told ABC News that their son had been dating the Russian bartender for years after meeting her near his base in South Korea. Black’s stepfather, Marty Jones, said they tried to “talk him out of it” when they heard of his plans to visit her. 

“Their relationship was definitely volatile, that’s why we were always against it,” Jones told the outlet. “We tried to tell him ‘just stay away.’ ”

Per Russian news agency TASS, CNN reported that Black’s lawyer said the soldier will appeal the sentence.