BOSTON (AP) — A U.S. Air Pressure veteran who fled a cost of possessing sexually specific photos of a kid informed his lawyer he joined the Russian navy, and a video seems to point out him signing paperwork at a navy enlistment workplace in Siberia.
Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former elected official from a small city in Massachusetts, was scheduled to plead responsible in Rhode Island in early January, however didn’t seem in courtroom, based on prosecutors. Final week, a video surfaced that seems to point out the 28-year-old in Russia and expressing assist for the nation’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine – footage that could possibly be used to advertise Moscow’s narrative of the battle .
His legal professional, John M. Cicilline, informed the Boston Globe that he known as Puello-Mota on Jan. 8, the day earlier than his responsible plea. In line with prosecutors, he took a flight from Washington, D.C., to Istanbul, Turkey, a day earlier.
“He stated, ‘I joined the Russian military,’ or one thing like that,” Cicilline informed the Globe. “I assumed he was joking.”
Cicilline stated Puello-Mota needed a profession in politics and believed the felony case had ruined his life.
“I’m certain he joined the Russian military as a result of he didn’t wish to be registered as a intercourse offender,” Cicilline stated.
The Related Press made a number of calls to Cicilline. An individual answering the telephone at his workplace stated they might haven’t any additional remark.
Puello-Mota served within the U.S. Air Pressure and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2015, when he was 19, based on press releases. He then served within the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air Nationwide Guard as a Safety Forces Airman.
Puello-Mota was arrested in 2020 in Warwick, Rhode Island, after he known as to report a stolen gun and police stated they discovered nude photos of a 17-year-old lady on his telephone. He was accused of getting sexually specific photos of a kid. He was later additionally accused of making an attempt to mislead prosecutors and his commanders concerning the case. Cicilline informed the Globe he reached an settlement to plead responsible to all expenses in change for an 18-month jail sentence.
Movies surfaced on Russian social media and native tv in March exhibiting a blurred picture of a person in uniform in what seems to be a struggle zone flying the American flag.
In a video posted on-line final week, a person who resembles Puello-Mota speaks on to the digicam, talking in English over background music and with Russian subtitles, and discussing a navy operation. His face isn’t blurry. He doesn’t say his identify and the movies don’t point out the Rhode Island felony case.
President Vladimir Putin has eradicated virtually all impartial media in Russia – and aligned state media usually tout Russian victories in Ukraine, denounce the West and amplify the excellent news whereas ignoring the unhealthy.
The Rhode Island legal professional basic’s workplace stated in a courtroom doc final month that it had obtained photos purporting to point out Puello-Mota in Ukraine and Russia.
“Though the State can not confirm the authenticity of the movies and pictures, if they’re correct, the accused is effectively past the jurisdiction of this courtroom and, if they’re false, the accused is engaged in a ruse designed to cover his whereabouts,” Rhode Island prosecutors stated. stated.
U.S. State Division officers stated they had been conscious of media reviews of Puello-Mota fleeing to Russia, however had had no contact with him and had no approach to affirm this data.
The newest video seems to point out Puello-Mota coming into a constructing in Khanty-Mansiysk and shaking arms with a person in uniform. On the finish of the video, we see him signing a doc.
The AP verified the placement after reviewing satellite tv for pc photos and historic pictures of the realm. In line with a plaque on the door, it’s a navy recruitment heart run by the Russian Protection Ministry.
“It’s clearly a troublesome state of affairs. It’s the struggle. It’s a particular navy operation,” Puello-Mota explains within the video, including that he had the prospect to be with “folks from the worldwide brigade.”
“We did our job. We did our job. We did what we needed to do,” he stated. “I used to be very lucky and lucky to serve with these guys. I might positively do it once more.
Ian Garner, an assistant professor of politics at Queen’s College in Canada, known as it a “large propaganda alternative” for Russia.
“With the ability to present an American citizen who selected to reinvent himself, reform himself and change into a part of the Russian struggle machine appears to supply proof that Russia is profitable a a lot bigger non secular struggle,” he stated. he declares.
Puello-Mota held the rank of technical sergeant when he was pressured to go away the Guard in October 2022 due to a felony case, stated Don Veitch, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Nationwide Guard. His safety clearance was additionally revoked.
Holyoke Metropolis Councilman David Bartley, who labored with Puello-Mota on the Metropolis Council, stated he thought of him a great good friend. He stated the individual within the video regarded and seemed like him.
“For me, it’s him,” he stated.
He knew of no connection between Puello-Mota and Russia and known as the photographs “stunning.”
“The Wil I do know was a great, first rate individual,” Bartley stated.
A Fb web page attributed to Puello-Mota features a picture of the Kremlin and an up to date profile picture of a person in uniform piloting a drone. He’s stated to be from Holyoke, presently residing in Moscow and dealing within the Russian Ministry of Protection, which is written in Russian.
Beneath Rhode Island regulation, Puello-Mota’s trial can not start with out her presence.
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Perry reported from Meredith that NH Related Press reporters Beatrice Dupuy and Rhonda Shafner in New York additionally contributed.
