Russia’s Defense Ministry has released an interview with Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former city councilman from Holyoke, Massachusetts, who is wanted in the United States on charges of possessing child pornography. The interview, which surfaced on Monday, marks the first apparent confirmation that Puello-Mota has fled the U.S. and enlisted in the Russian military, following months of speculation about his whereabouts.
Puello-Mota, who disappeared from the U.S. in January 2024 just before he was due to stand trial in Rhode Island, appeared in the video wearing full military gear. Identified only as “Will” and using the callsign “Boston,” he discussed his role as a reconnaissance drone operator in Russia’s military, while making no mention of the serious criminal charges he faces back in the U.S. The video portrays him as a former U.S. soldier who has now found a new purpose in serving Russia.
Puello-Mota was previously a member of the U.S. Air Force and the Massachusetts National Guard before being separated from service in October 2022 due to the child pornography charges. He was arrested in 2020 after police discovered nude images of a 17-year-old girl on his phone during an unrelated investigation. After his arrest, he faced additional charges for allegedly attempting to deceive investigators.
The former councilman was set to plead guilty to all charges in January 2024 as part of a deal that would have resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. However, Puello-Mota fled the country just before his trial, reportedly boarding a flight to Turkey and eventually resurfacing in Russia.
In the interview, Puello-Mota defended his actions, insisting that he does not consider himself a traitor since, in his view, the United States and Russia are not at war. He criticized U.S. foreign policy, claiming that the U.S. has been involved in actions that are “very provocative, very bad,” and called for greater understanding between the two nations. He also praised his Russian comrades, describing them as kind and helpful as he navigates life in his new country.
The release of the video, coupled with earlier reports and sightings of Puello-Mota in Russian military contexts, has raised concerns about how he managed to flee the U.S. and join a foreign military while facing serious charges. His former colleagues in Massachusetts expressed shock when they recognized him in Russian media earlier this year.
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