Robert Woodland, a US citizen, Sentenced to prison in Russia He was convicted on drug-related charges, multiple media reports said.
Woodland was reportedly sentenced by a Russian court on Thursday to 12-and-a-half years in a maximum security prison.
The 32-year-old was detained in Moscow in January and accused of attempting to sell large quantities of methadone. Reuters reported. Woodland’s lawyer, Stanislav Krzyzewiczky, told the outlet that Woodland had confessed to some of the charges, but it was unclear which ones.
Methadone is Long-acting opioids It is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin and other opioids.
Woodland was born in Russia and was adopted at the age of 2. According to the BBC, Woodland returned to Russia to search for her birth mother, and her journey was documented for a Russian reality TV show.
According to a post-conviction statement from Russian prosecutors quoted by the BBC, Woodland was arrested in a Moscow apartment trying to package a large amount of drugs. Prosecutors allege that Woodland worked with a larger criminal group to transport 50 grams of drugs from a collection point.
At least 12 Americans, including journalists and active-duty military personnel, are being held in Russian prisons and penal colonies.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich remains in detention in Russia, and WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner was released at the end of 2022.
