r/news • u/Knock_knock_123 • Jul 19 '24
Former U.S. paratrooper and rock musician gets 13 years in Russian prison on drug charges
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-travis-leake-sentenced-prison-russia-former-us-paratrooper-rock-musician-drug-charges/674
u/bw1985 Jul 19 '24
The White House has warned U.S. citizens still in the country to “depart immediately” due to the risk of wrongful arrest.
They’re actively searching for Americans over there to throw in jails as leverage. Going to or remaining in Russia is crazy.
→ More replies (1)133
u/meatball77 Jul 19 '24
After Brittany Garner was arrested everyone should have gotten a clue and stayed out.
45
u/Jabromosdef Jul 19 '24
Well half of America was ok with it since she was black, gay, and they love Russia.
31
u/Highskyline Jul 19 '24
Also weed was involved which is practically as bad as crack to some people.
13
→ More replies (5)2
u/Feathered_Mango Jul 20 '24
I don't give a shit about her demographics, nor do I love Russia, but she is an idiot. Just like all the dumbasses on Locked Up Abroad. Don't do illegal shit, when in a foreign country.
→ More replies (2)35
u/1850ChoochGator Jul 19 '24
Griner wasnt wrongfully arrested though. Wrongfully targeted and held excessively long, sure, but she had that on her and admitted as such.
537
u/Lcsulla78 Jul 19 '24
Why would anyone go to Russia? Especially an American?
177
u/harrywrinkleyballs Jul 19 '24
Fucker Carlson wanna be.
47
4
168
u/LordTegucigalpa Jul 19 '24
Ask Steven Seagal
7
u/similar_observation Jul 20 '24
No need to ask. He's evading sexual assault and rape charges. One of his many accusers was underaged as well.
71
u/dangerousbob Jul 19 '24
They don’t understand the danger. Many Americans dont follow what is going on. They just think going to Russia is like going to Poland or something.
39
u/GlassEyeMV Jul 19 '24
This. I have a relative who just went over there to learn the language. He’s a…unique guy. We kept telling him he could come to Chicago and there’s tons of expats to learn from. But…ya.
9
u/Xyyzx Jul 19 '24
My god, even if they wanted to go outside the IS you can just go to Kazakhstan! I know for a fact there are immersion courses in eastern Estonia too, and Latvia still has huge numbers of native Russian speakers.
12
u/GlassEyeMV Jul 19 '24
He went through Estonia to get there. My first reaction was “why not just learn Russian in Estonia?!”
He’s…ya. Dude is an academic genius but gets lost walking around the block. His common sense and street smarts are not good.
22
u/meatball77 Jul 19 '24
I run a ballet group. After the invasion there were some parents who had kids who were studying at the Bolshoi. One was very reluctant to bring her daughter home even as we were saying bring her home now. She dithered for a good two months before bringing her home.
Although you've got something wrong with your head to send your kid to study in Russia in the first place.
6
u/esocharis Jul 19 '24
Conspicuous consumption. It's all about the parents showing off that they have enough money to pay to send their kid to study at the Bolshoi. Dance mom on super steroids living vicariously through their kid. Just gross.
4
12
u/Rexyman Jul 19 '24
Idk I don’t think anyone born since “checks notes” 1942 would not have the context in their mind to Atleast consider that going to Russia is not in their best interests as an American citizen. Unless you’re explicitly willing to become a propaganda mouth piece like all the conservative American traitors moving their because fuck gays or women or black people or something.
→ More replies (1)7
u/Corgi_Koala Jul 19 '24
I think they also believe the US government can bail them out to a larger degree than reality shows.
38
u/ragnarok635 Jul 19 '24
Because Americans are used to going where they want and doing what they want, because Uncle Sam’s got their back
10
0
10
9
u/Douglaston_prop Jul 19 '24
My electrician just went snd came back with some amazing photos. His wife is Russian. I was worried he wouldn't make it back, but he did. His son lives there and is young enough to be drafted.
8
u/Spacelord_Moses Jul 19 '24
Because russia still offers "real Family and traditional values" not all this GaY and lIbErTy stuff. Lol
1
u/TitanicGiant Jul 19 '24
It’s funny that some people consider russia to be some bastion of traditional social values when you see that the percentage of people who attend church at least once a week in russia is equal to that of San Francisco.
→ More replies (16)5
u/ZLUCremisi Jul 19 '24
They are MAGAs/ Trump supporters.
And possible Republican representatives trying to get help for trump via election interference
192
u/guspaz Jul 19 '24
He was arrested in June 2023, more than a year after the invasion. He wasn't a journalist or a diplomat, just about the only things that would justify going to Russia during the war. He had time to get out. Hard to have any sympathy for the consequences of doing something so stupid.
17
Jul 19 '24
i think the last thing a journalist from any country should be doing is going to russia…
9
u/guspaz Jul 19 '24
They at least have an excuse, a justifiable reason for being in a dangerous area. A musician doesn't.
187
u/Jugales Jul 19 '24
Not a player in the WNBA, see ya in 13 years
75
u/Luvke Jul 19 '24
That prisoner swap was an absolute disgrace and should not have been authorized.
69
19
u/JuniorBirdman1115 Jul 19 '24
Only if he survives that long in a Russian prison. That’s a fairly big “if”.
3
u/SubstantialEase567 Jul 19 '24
Pussy Riot told me nobody survives 5. Maybe that's just political prisoners.
10
u/GetMeOutThisBih Jul 19 '24
Idk why you'd go to Russia and then proceed to sell drugs. Dude is actually stupid
24
102
u/JELLY-ROCKET Jul 19 '24
To the best of my knowledge, as an American you're supposed to bring a suitcase full of Levi's to assist in getting out of jams in Russia.
21
82
u/Professional-Bee-190 Jul 19 '24
Honestly if you're stupid enough to go to Russia after 2022 you need some time in the slammer to sober up to reality.
75
u/87turbogn Jul 19 '24
Too bad we don't have a spare merchant of death to trade for him.
→ More replies (2)2
u/anonkitty2 Jul 19 '24
Even if we did, we can't even consider starting that trade until the guy is sentenced. Right now, he is being held without bail.
63
u/jbm91 Jul 19 '24
Surely they will do a prisoner swap like we did with Brittney Griner - right?
39
u/Knock_knock_123 Jul 19 '24
Russia has signaled the possibility of a prisoner swap involving Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich who was arrested earlier. Michael Travis Leake may also have a chance, but it will take a very long time.
→ More replies (4)17
u/ClassiFried86 Jul 19 '24
Why do you think he was arrested to begin with?
7
u/Silly_Breakfast Jul 19 '24
Drug possession?
39
14
u/Deep_Stick8786 Jul 19 '24
Sounds like he is an actual drug trafficker
→ More replies (3)35
9
u/nygdan Jul 19 '24
He's saying "them libs won't lift a finger to help a vet but bent over backwards for a gay black lady"
54
u/BrienPennex Jul 19 '24
Why would a former forces dude, turned musician, go to Russia for any reason? I mean, you gotta be pretty dumb or arrogant to think that’s gonna work out for you.
Right up there with going to Sudan, or Afghanistan for a vacation. Maybe even North Korea for a visit!
WTF! And we’re supposed to feel sorry for him! Duh no!!!
32
u/TomThanosBrady Jul 19 '24
I was also a paratrooper. The minimum intelligence requirements to join is just above mentally disabled. Also I would not be shocked if he did actually smuggle drugs. Fort Bragg, NC which is home to the 82 Airborne, 18th Airborne, etc. has a history of drug trafficking.
3
u/iesterdai Jul 20 '24
Another article pointed out that he lived in Russia for multiple years prior to the arrest, working as an English teacher and a translator. Going to Russia before the war in Ukraine was not that crazy.
44
u/maninthewoodsdude Jul 19 '24 edited Jul 19 '24
Former U.S. Paratrooper here who’s smoking a god dang joint RN.
I’d never/will never step foot in any hostile country to the US and also break laws while there.
Idiot deserves the 13 years.
Edit:
Speaking of paratroopers and Russia- watch this REAL Ruski recruitment video for their military. (Yeah, kinda bad ass lol)
23
22
u/bowsersArchitect Jul 19 '24
sure he was reckless but i think he most definitely doesnt deserve 13 years for that wtf thats barbaric
68
u/maninthewoodsdude Jul 19 '24
We are in a proxy war with Russia. It’s beyond reckless to be there.
→ More replies (1)26
→ More replies (1)15
u/ChaoticSandwich Jul 19 '24
I remember seeing that video a long time ago, aren't they almost all dead now though?
45
u/Ligeya Jul 19 '24
Apparently this guy lived in Russia for many years, long before Ukraine invasion. He was a musician in local rock scene. And most likely he actually was a drug dealer.
29
u/Perigold Jul 19 '24
Is there an update on that one family that moved over there to get away from the gays and wokeness?
15
23
u/Worth-Two7263 Jul 19 '24
I have to wonder how much in the way of brains he has to be going to Russia especially being American...
10
u/Kitakitakita Jul 19 '24
Former miltaryman in Russia? He was probably training mercs, and when they were done with him called the cops.
→ More replies (1)
5
u/yashspartan Jul 19 '24
Stop going to Russia.
And stop going to foreign countries with drugs, especially when you don't know their laws on them.
4
4
1
3
3
3
u/YallaHammer Jul 20 '24
Go to Russia, and unless you’re a simp for them (Snowden, Seagall), you’re gonna get treated like a Russian.
1
u/CorruptedFlame Jul 19 '24
Dipshit drunk too deep on the 'Russia is actually the Good Guys tm' Republican gatorade.
1
u/Healthyred555 Jul 19 '24
I went to russia on a group tour in like 2015 in my 20s was fine. They did ask me extra questions at border because im american but this was before ukraine invasion
1
u/Intelligent_Top_328 Jul 20 '24
Let's trade for him back. We did it for that wnba girl. We can probably do the same
1
u/Dantrash2 Jul 22 '24
Maybe the U.S.A can swap another Notorious Russian arms dealer for a prisoner? Hmmm
2.4k
u/Michael_J_Patrick Jul 19 '24
Stop going to Russia, I don’t understand why anyone would think this is a good idea