Russian court sentences an American to 5 years on charges of illegally transporting arms

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian court convicted and sentenced an American on charges of illegally transporting weapons, court officials said Monday.

Related Articles


Today in History: January 19, Indira Gandhi becomes first prime minister of an independent India


Europe warns of ‘dangerous downward spiral’ after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland


Today in History: January 18, White Chicago police officer sentenced in Laquan McDonald’s shooting


US launches another retaliatory strike in Syria, killing leader tied to deadly Islamic State ambush


Thousands march in Greenland to support Arctic island in the face of Trump’s threats to take it over

The U.S. citizen, identified as Charles Wayne Zimmerman, was handed a 5-year sentence by the court in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi after a rifle was found on his yacht in June. Russian customs officials found the weapon while inspecting it upon arrival in Sochi.

The regional courts’ press service said in a statement that Zimmerman told the court that he traveled to Russia to meet a woman he had previously contacted online. It added that Zimmerman argued that he had bought the gun for self-defense and was unaware that it wasn’t allowed to keep it on his yacht.

There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials.

Zimmerman is one of a few Americans who remain in Russian custody after a series of high-profile prisoner exchanges with the United States in recent years.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/19/russia-sentences-american-transporting-arms/