The Russian Ministry of Defense recently released an interview featuring Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former city councilman from Holyoke, Massachusetts, who is wanted in the United States on charges of child pornography.
Wanted for Possession of Child Pornography
According to Hotnews Puello-Mota fled the U.S. in January, violating a court order while awaiting trial in Rhode Island for possession of child pornography.
Puello-Mota resurfaced in February in Russian military videos showcasing the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.
In April, Russian regional authorities shared another video showing him at a military enlistment office, identifying him only as "Will," a former U.S. soldier.
The latest video, published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, features Puello-Mota in full combat gear, introducing himself as "Will from Massachusetts" with the call sign "Boston."
American With Russian Citizenship
The american claims to have served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by a stint in the Massachusetts National Guard, and two years as a city councilman. He says his political involvement led him to travel to Russia and join its military forces.
In the interview, Puello-Mota describes using his leadership skills in the Russian army, where he now serves as a drone operator with a unit involved in operations in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense identified him as an "American with Russian citizenship" and a "former U.S. citizen," though it's unclear if he formally renounced his American citizenship.
Despite the serious charges he faces in the U.S., Puello-Mota insists, "I don't consider myself a traitor. The United States and Russia are not at war." The Russian military has not commented on the criminal accusations against him.
