U.S. Soldier Arrested in Russia on Charges of Theft Will Be Held for at Least 2 Months [Video]

A U.S. soldier accused of stealing in Russia has been detained and will remain in the country’s custody as he awaits trial, officials have confirmed to the Associated Press and CBS News. 

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, was arrested on Thursday, May 2 in Vladivostok. According to the outlets, the infantry soldier, who is married, was in the process of being transferred from Seoul, South Korea to Fort Cavazos in Texas when he took a detour to the Russian port city to visit a longtime girlfriend.

In a statement to NBC News, Pervomaisky District Court said that Black was arrested “under the ‘theft’ article” of the country’s criminal code and charged with “secretly stealing property” of a Russian citizen, which allegedly caused this person “significant damage.” 

Per the outlet, the court also said he “will be held in pre-trial detention” for at least two months in order “to prevent him from evading charges.” 

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