Texas

Texas man detained in Russia for months due to ‘political purposes’: congressman

Published

2 years ago

August 3, 2022

Texas man detained in Russia for months due to ‘political purposes’: congressman

Greater than six months after Texas father David Barnes was arrested by Russian authorities, his household is asking on officers in Washington to do extra to attempt to facilitate his launch.

“David’s a really caring and empathetic particular person,” his sister, Carol Barnes, informed ABC Information. “Each minute of daily, my thoughts is on what he is going by way of, the hell that he is residing in, and the way unjust it’s.”

David Barnes has been held since January in a Moscow jail. He’s certainly one of a number of Individuals being detained in Russia, however in contrast to Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan or Marc Fogel, legislation enforcement in Moscow has alleged that he engaged in prison exercise in america — an accusation that has bewildered members of his household, American prosecutors and now, his native congressman.

“Mr. Barnes has been arrested and detained for political functions, and my workplace is working with the State Division to carry him again to Texas as quickly as potential,” Rep. Kevin Brady informed ABC Information in a press release. “We proceed to induce the Biden administration to do all it could actually to resolve this example and free Mr. Barnes.”

David Barnes traveled from suburban Houston to Moscow in December 2021 in an effort to achieve authorized clearance to both see his youngsters or carry them dwelling, after his Russian ex-wife allegedly violated a court docket custody order and fled america with them, based on his household.

In August 2020, a choose in Montgomery County signed an order designating David Barnes as the only managing conservator of his youngsters, which gave him rights to resolve the first dwelling for his youngsters, make choices relating to their schooling, symbolize them in authorized actions, and possess their passports.

Barnes’ ex-wife is herself now needed within the U.S. on a felony cost of interference with baby custody, after she fled with the kids in 2019.

“David Barnes traveled to Russia in an trustworthy try to reunite along with his youngsters, who had been kidnapped by their mom and brought to Russia illegally,” Brady stated. “This can be a baby custody dispute, not a prison matter.”

David Barnes, seen right here in a photograph offered by his household, has been held in a Russian detention heart since January.

Courtesy Carol Barnes

On Jan. 13, Russian investigators apprehended Barnes in Moscow, accusing him of abusing his two youngsters years earlier in Texas, based on translations of court docket paperwork.

Comparable allegations towards Barnes have been dropped at authorities in Texas by his now-ex-wife Svetlana Koptyaeva throughout their lengthy and acrimonious divorce proceedings. The allegations have been investigated in 2018 by the Division of Household and Protecting Companies, which discovered inadequate proof to help them and closed the case with none findings of abuse or any expenses towards Barnes.

“Right now, there are not any accusations out of Montgomery County that we’re conscious of that might permit Mr. Barnes to be held in custody,” Kelly Blackburn of the Montgomery County District Lawyer’s Workplace informed ABC Information in Could.

A spokesperson for the Harris County District Lawyer’s Workplace stated in Could that David Barnes had not been charged in any baby abuse instances there both.

Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow have met with David Barnes within the time since his arrest, based on emails between his household and the State Division. Nevertheless, Brady’s feedback mark the primary time that an elected official has said publicly that David Barnes’ detention in Russia is because of “political functions.”

Carol Barnes is hoping the elevated consideration on her brother’s state of affairs will inspire different officers to categorise him as being wrongfully detained, push for his launch or add him to a proposed prisoner change between Russia and the U.S.

“Washington ought to be capable of get their very own Americans again dwelling with out a lot purple tape and us having to contact a whole bunch of individuals and getting 1% response,” Carol Barnes stated. “I imply, any person listen.”

In July, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced a proposal that known as on Russia to change Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian citizen who was convicted of expenses associated to unlawful arms trafficking. Carol Barnes stated she has not heard something about her brother being a part of any potential prisoner change.

ABC Information requested the White Home in July whether or not it considers David Barnes to be wrongfully detained and if efforts have been made to safe his launch, however it referred all inquiries to the State Division.

“It is simply so irritating,” Carol Barnes stated. “I notice we’re coping with Russians and it isn’t that simple, however I do not suppose they’re paying sufficient consideration to it.”

A spokesperson for the State Division wrote in a press release on July 26 that they’re persevering with to induce the Russian authorities to permit for normal consular entry and providers to be offered to Individuals who stay detained in Russia.

“We take severely our accountability to help U.S. residents overseas and are monitoring Mr. Barnes’ state of affairs carefully,” the spokesperson stated, partly. “The division routinely screens instances of all U.S. nationals detained overseas for indications that it ought to be designated as a wrongful detention. On account of privateness issues, we’ve no additional remark at the moment.”

David Barnes celebrated his sixty fifth birthday in his Moscow detention heart in July. His household doesn’t know when they may get to see him once more.

“I need him again. I really like him. I miss him,” Carol Barnes stated. “There is no pleasure in my life proper now in any respect.”

ABC Information’ Shannon Crawford contributed to this report.

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Texas

TCU Volleyball Dominates Texas Tech on Senior Night

Published

49 mins ago

November 23, 2024

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TCU Volleyball Dominates Texas Tech on Senior Night

A common theme for No. 22 TCU has been their complete dominance on their home floor this season. The Horned Frogs finished the year 14-1 at Schollmaier Arena. On Friday night, in front of over 3,000 fans, TCU swept Texas Tech (25-14, 26-24, 25-11).

The four seniors honored by TCU were Melanie Parra, Cecily Bramschreiber, Stephanie Young and Ashlyn Bourland. All four players found ways to contribute as Parra finished with 14 kills and seven digs. Bramschreiber filled up the stat sheet with four kills, four aces and seven digs. Both Young and Bourland got an ace.

Both teams traded points in the early going, but Bramschreiber sparked a 7-2 run to give the Frogs a 16-9 lead. TCU hit .417 in the first set and dominated the first set capped off by a Becca Kelley ace.

In set two, Texas Tech made things much closer jumping out to a 8-5 lead. A 4-0 run from TCU put them back in front. This set included multiple runs and it was Tech that got it to set point leading 24-22. TCU was able to end the set on a 4-0 run courtesy of kills from Jalyn Gibson and Parra paired with aces from Bramschreiber.

Trying to keeps things alive, TCU wasn’t met with much resistance from the Red Raiders in the third set. The Frogs kept up the pressure with multiple runs to build a massive 17-8 lead. Bourland picked up her first career ace and an attack error ended things.

It was a fun night for the seniors that played in front of the TCU crowd for the last time. The 14 wins at home tied the school record for most wins at home in a single season. They also picked up the most wins in a season since 2015. What Jason Williams has done for this program in such a short time has been remarkable to watch.

The Frogs move to 19-7 overall 11-5 in conference. They still are fifth in the Big 12 standings with two games to go. They will travel to Morgantown on Wednesday to take on West Virginia at 6 p.m. and then to Cincinnati on Friday at 1 p.m.

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Texas AG sues Dallas for decriminalizing marijuana

Published

9 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Texas AG sues Dallas for decriminalizing marijuana

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit Thursday targeting the blue city of Dallas over a ballot measure that decriminalizes marijuana.

Paxton alleges that Proposition R, which “prohibits the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure,” violates state law.

The attorney general argues in the lawsuit that the ballot measure is preempted by Texas law, which criminalizes the possession and distribution of marijuana. Paxton also claims the Texas Constitution prohibits municipalities from adopting an ordinance that conflicts with laws enacted by the state legislature.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court on November 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“Cities cannot pick and choose which State laws they follow,” Paxton said in a statement. “The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them.”

Paxton called the ballot measure “a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution” and threatened to sue any other city that “tries to constrain police in this fashion.”

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A flower bud of marijuana. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

The lawsuit comes after interim Dallas Police Department Chief Michael Igo directed Dallas police officers not to enforce marijuana laws against those found to be in possession of less than 4 ounces.

Ground Game Texas, a progressive nonprofit group that campaigned in favor of the ballot measure, argued it would help “keep people out of jail for marijuana possession,” “reduce racially biased policing” and “save millions in public funding.”

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A mature marijuana plant begins to bloom under artificial lights at Loving Kindness Farms in Gardena, Calif., May 20, 2019. Paxton has sued the city of Dallas over a ballot measure that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

“It’s unfortunate but not surprising that Attorney General Ken Paxton has apparently chosen to waste everyone’s time and money by filing yet another baseless lawsuit against marijuana decriminalization,” said Catina Voellinger, executive director for Ground Game Texas.

“Judges in Travis and Hays counties have already dismissed identical lawsuits filed there. The Dallas Freedom Act was overwhelmingly approved by 67% of voters — this is democracy in action.”

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Since January 2024, Paxton has filed lawsuits against five Texas cities that decriminalized marijuana possession, arguing these policies promote crime, drug abuse and violence.

Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

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Tre Johnson, Texas Longhorns Scrape Past Saint Joseph’s to Win Legends Classic

Published

17 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Tre Johnson, Texas Longhorns Scrape Past Saint Joseph’s to Win Legends Classic

The Texas Longhorns are heading back to Austin with some early-season tournament hardware in hand.

Tre Johnson battled through another poor shooting night but closed the game out for Texas once again, scoring a game-high 17 points to lead the Longhorns to a 67-58 win over Saint Joseph’s at the Legends Classic championship round in Brooklyn Friday night.

Transfer guard Julian Larry sparked the Longhorns late, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half. Arthur Kaluma added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists while Kadin Shedrick had 10 points and six rebounds.

The Hawks were led by Rasheer Fleming, who stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals. Xzayvier Brown added 15 points on 4 of 7 shooting.

The Longhorns jumped out to an 11-6 lead after seven early points from Kaluma. St. Joe’s started out cold from the field but controlled the game with hard-nosed defense and the occasional press while dominating the offensive glass. This was highlighted by a possession where the Hawks got four consecutive offensive rebounds but only scored one point as a result.

Johnson stayed aggressive on offense for Texas but was off on his shot and was impacted by the on-ball defense of St. Joe’s.

Mark, Pope and Johnson all hit a triple for Texas in about a two-minute span ahead of halftime to give the Longhorns their biggest lead at 32-26 but the Hawks responded with a free throw from Haskins 3-pointer from Brown before halftime to cut the lead to 32-30.

The defense from the Hawks ramped up even more, as the Longhorns were stuck in the mud on offense and had little to no ball movement. St. Joe’s was hardly much better, but its defense continued to set the tone and eventually swung the momentum.

Larry then hit back-to-back triples as the two teams traded buckets on five straight possessions. Consecutive dunks from Ajogbor and Fleming but the Hawks in front 50-46 with 8:25 to play, but Larry continued to take over. He hit 1,000 career points with a driving layup before finding Kaluma for a corner triple to put Texas back in front at 51-50.

It didn’t stop there for Larry, who found a cutting Shedrick for a dunk before diving on a loose ball down at the other end to secure possession for Texas, which had built a 55-52 lead with 3:13 left. The Longhorns used the momentum to put together an 8-0 run, which essentially sealed the win in a game where scoring felt hard to come by.

Johnson then closed the game out with six points in the final 4:11 of action, including a pullup jumper at the foul line to put Texas up 63-55 with 1:19 left.

Texas will host Delaware State on Nov. 29.

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