Nine Americans Remain in Russian Custody as One Case Closes

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired English teacher, spent more than four years in a Russian prison on mercenary charges before his family secured his release. His departure closes one chapter in a long dispute, but it leaves at least nine other Americans behind in Russian custody. Some of these detainees hold dual citizenship with Russia, while others are U.S. citizens who were arrested for offenses ranging from drug trafficking to espionage.

Russian authorities maintain tight control over information leaving the country, making it difficult to verify the specific conditions of detention. However, known details exist for several of the individuals currently serving time in Russian prisons or labor colonies.

Travis Michael Leake, a rock musician who fronted the Moscow-based band Lovi Noch, was arrested in 2023 and convicted of drug-related offenses. He received a sentence of 13 years. A representative for Leake, who lived in Moscow since 2010, told CBS News that the American is innocent. In a recorded message from prison, Leake stated, "I'm sorry I'm not a journalist. I'm sorry I'm not a basketball player. I'm sorry I'm not somebody that's important."

Robert Woodland returned to Russia to track down his birth mother after growing up with a U.S. foster family. In 2024, he pleaded partially guilty to drug trafficking charges. His sentence was reduced to 9.5 years in 2025. Attorney Stanislav Kshevitskii told CBS News in October 2026 that there have been no recent updates to Woodland's case.

David Barnes, who was embroiled in a custody battle in Texas, was taken to Russia by his ex-wife in 2019. When he traveled to the country to pursue visitation rights, he was accused of sexual abuse and convicted. Barnes is serving a 21-year sentence in a penal colony. In a letter to his sons, he wrote, "Thousands of people in America and Russia know I am innocent … You know I am innocent as well."

Daniel Schneider was arrested in July 2023 while attempting to cross into Poland with his 4-year-old son. Prosecutors claimed the child's mother did not consent to the boy leaving the country. Schneider was sentenced to six years in prison for kidnapping. A website advocating for his release describes the situation as a complex international child custody dispute.

Gordon Black, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant stationed in South Korea, traveled to Russia to visit his girlfriend in May 2024. He was arrested after she accused him of stealing money and sentenced to three years and nine months. A Russian court reduced that sentence to three years and two months last year.

Charles Wayne Zimmerman, a retired U.S. Navy electrician, was arrested in Sochi in June 2025 while pursuing a sailboat voyage. His family says he was ordered to follow a Russian Navy vessel and voluntarily declared a firearm on board. He was convicted of arms smuggling and given a sentence in January 2026. His sister, Robin Stultz, alleges that Russian authorities denied him access to U.S. diplomatic representatives.

Andre Khachatoorian was detained during a layover in Moscow in December 2021 while traveling to Armenia. He was charged with arms trafficking after police found a locked firearm case in his checked bag. He was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in 2023. Eugene Spector, who was born in Russia, received a total of 15 years in prison in December 2024 in an espionage case. His trial took place behind closed doors, and he had previously pleaded guilty to facilitating bribes.

Aleksandr Antonov, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was detained at a passport check in March 2025. Russian border officers claimed he had anti-Russian sentiment in Telegram messages on his phone. He was charged with extremism. Current and former U.S. officials told CBS News that the State Department is debating whether to designate Antonov as wrongfully detained.