U.S. Veteran Fights for Russia After Child Porn Charges

Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former U.S. Air Force veteran and city council member from Holyoke, Massachusetts, has reportedly confirmed his enlistment in the Russian army through a propaganda video released by Russia's Defense Ministry. In the five-minute video, Puello-Mota, who is facing serious legal charges for possession of child pornography, stated, “I’m not a traitor,” while asserting his military background and political aspirations. Puello-Mota was scheduled to appear in a Rhode Island courtroom on January 9 to plead guilty to charges that could have resulted in a five-year prison sentence. His attorney, John M. Cicilline, indicated that Puello-Mota's decision to join the Russian military may have been motivated by a desire to avoid registering as a sex offender, following his arrest in May 2020 for possessing explicit images of a minor. During his tenure on the Holyoke City Council from 2021 to 2023, Puello-Mota was known for his conservative views and support for former President Donald Trump. However, his political career faced challenges after his arrest, leading to attempts to remove him from office. Following his flight from the U.S., local residents expressed shock upon seeing a video of a man resembling Puello-Mota in a Russian uniform, reportedly planting a U.S. flag in Ukraine. In earlier footage released by the Defense Ministry, Puello-Mota was identified only as a former U.S. soldier named “Will,” where he expressed admiration for his new comrades, further complicating his already controversial legacy.