An American tutor has been sentenced to 10 days in prison for “minor hooliganism” in Russia, according to Russian state media. This includes suspicions that he was drunk and naked in public.
William Russell Nycomb, 49, was “found naked in a courtyard after consuming alcoholic beverages and expressed clear contempt for society, the people and public order, for which he was detained by police officers.” RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday, citing a Moscow court.
According to local television station REN TV, Nykom is also suspected of climbing through the children’s library window and falling asleep inside.
According to the TV station, Nykom entered the country on a six-month tourist visa and was working as an English tutor. Records show he last lived in Arkansas.
The State Department would not confirm to the Post whether Nykom was one of the two Americans detained in Russia last week.
Sergeant Gordon C. Black was also arrested last week in Russia on suspicion of stealing from a woman, according to the report. Black was stationed in South Korea and allegedly went to Vladivostok, Russia, to visit a woman.
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“We reiterate our strong warning about the risks posed to U.S. nationals in the Russian Federation. U.S. nationals residing in or traveling to Russia are advised to leave the country immediately as stated in the Russia Travel Advisory. should,” a State Department official told the Post.
The official added: “When a U.S. national is detained abroad, consular staff will endeavor to assist the American national with all appropriate assistance.” “Due to privacy concerns, we will not be commenting further.”
The White House confirmed Tuesday that two Americans were detained in Russia.
“I can also confirm that there are two separate incidents in which U.S. nationals were detained in Russia. The State Department is actively seeking consular access to both men; He was not in Russia on behalf of a representative or in connection with the U.S. government,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, the State Department has called on all American citizens living in Russia to leave the country immediately.
Other Americans have also been detained in Russia in recent days, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and ballerina Ksenia Karelina.
