Wilmer Puello-Mota, a 28-year-old former U.S. Air National Guardsman and city councilor from Holyoke, Massachusetts, has reportedly enlisted in the Russian military, according to footage released on pro-Kremlin media outlets. Puello-Mota faces charges in the U.S. related to the possession of child pornography. Videos purportedly show him at a military enlistment office in Siberia, signing papers to join the Russian forces.
UPDATE: The Air Guardsman flying the US flag for RU in Avdiivka has been identified.
Wilmer Puello-Mota fled the U.S. in January after he was caught with illicit photos of a teenager on his phone.
He promptly enlisted with the Russian Military, as seen in the new video. https://t.co/rDOpBNKlGW pic.twitter.com/P24KEjrUJO
— FUNKER530 (@FunkerActual) April 5, 2024
The Massachusetts National Guard confirmed Puello-Mota’s departure from the U.S. following the charges, leading to his discharge from service in October 2022. The Guard emphasized that criminal activity contradicts their values and will not be tolerated. Holyoke City Council also verified his previous service as a councilor from January 2022 until January 2024.
Puello-Mota’s legal representative, John M. Cicilline, revealed that Puello-Mota had fled the U.S. a day before he was expected to plead guilty, heading first to Turkey. Cicilline quoted Puello-Mota stating his enlistment in the Russian military, suggesting it was to avoid registering as a sex offender in the U.S.
The National Guard noted that Puello-Mota’s security clearance was revoked due to the severity of the charges against him, and he had previously served as a Tech Sgt. and Security Forces airman with the 104th Fighter Wing. Further details on his military record are limited due to his discharge level.
Puello-Mota was first arrested in Warwick, Rhode Island in 2020 after police discovered nude images of a minor on his phone during an unrelated investigation. Rhode Island prosecutors have expressed uncertainty over the authenticity of additional images and videos that purportedly place Puello-Mota in Ukraine and Russia, suggesting either his physical presence abroad or an elaborate deception regarding his location.
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