Southwest
Texas father detained in Russia sentenced to 21 years in penal colony despite 'almost no evidence'
A Russian court sentenced a Texas father to 21 years in a penal colony on charges of child abuse Tuesday, despite “almost no evidence” and multiple U.S. investigations that resulted in no charges.
David Barnes, 66, was accused of abusing his two sons in 2018 and 2014 by his then-wife, Russian Svetlana Koptyaeva. Police in Houston investigated both allegations at the time and found no reason to file charges.
“Frankly, I’m horrified,” Barnes’ defense attorney, Gleb Glinka, told ABC News outside the courthouse. “There was almost no evidence that the court could base that verdict on.”
Koptyaeva is alleged to have illegally taken her and Barnes’ children out of the U.S. in the midst of a custody dispute in 2019. Interpol then declared both sons missing, and the U.S. transferred custody rights to Barnes, though that could not be enforced because the children were taken to Russia.
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U.S. citizen David Barnes, 66, has been jailed for 21 years in a maximum security penal colony in Russia on child molestation charges originally investigated in the U.S., after being raised by his Russian ex-wife Svetlana Koptyaeva, when a decision was taken not to pursue criminal action. (East2West)
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Montgomery County prosecutors also charged Koptyaeva with felony interference with child custody and issued a warrant for her arrest.
“I do know that everyone that heard and investigated the child sexual abuse allegations raised by Mrs. Barnes during the child custody proceedings did not find them to be credible,” Kelly Blackburn of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office told ABC News on Tuesday. “Mrs. Barnes’ interference with the child custody case is still pending, and the warrant for her is still active.”
David Barnes’ ex-wife, Svetlana Koptyaeva, is charged with interfering in a custody dispute by illegally taking her children from the U.S. to Russia. (East2West)
Barnes has been detained in Russia since January 2022, when his family said he traveled there to see his children and apply for visitation rights, according to ABC.
WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH PASSES 300 DAYS IN RUSSIAN DETAINMENT
Koptyaeva once again raised the abuse allegations soon after Barnes’ arrival. Russian authorities say they investigated the claims, though Montgomery authorities reportedly say they were never contacted by Russian officials about the issue.
David Barnes is one of several U.S. citizens being detained by Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. (East2West)
“I didn’t steal anyone,” Koptyaeva told ABC on Tuesday. “I was just protecting my kids.”
Barnes is one of several U.S. citizens currently being detained in Russia, alongside journalist Evan Gershkovich and U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Unlike the latter two, however, President Biden’s administration at this point has not declared Barnes to be “wrongfully detained.”
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
Los Angeles, Ca
'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana
The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]
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