An American citizen who played in punk rock bands while living in Russia has been arrested in Moscow on suspicion of drug trafficking.
according to NPR, the Moscow Khamovniki District Court accused Travis Michael Leake of selling the drug mephedrone. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Leake, a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army, had lived in Moscow for nearly a decade. While living in Russia, he played in several punk bands, including lead vocals in Lovi Noch. Additionally, he served as President of Red Decades Records, a company that aims to identify and develop “old and new talent in the Russian market for wider sales in the world market.”
Leake also starred in a 2014 episode of Anthony Bourdain parts unknown, where he expressed his displeasure with Russian censorship. “This is a documentary series about musicians risking their lives in some cases to stand up against government abuse of power and government corruption,” he said in the episode. “However, a foreign government has editorial control over what American viewers see on their television screens. To me, this is a scandal of epic proportions.”
Leake has denied the charge, telling police: “I don’t understand why I’m here. I plead not guilty and I don’t believe I would have done what I’ve been charged with because I don’t know what I’ve been charged with.”
A State Department spokesman said officials were aware of Leake’s detention. “The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is the highest priority of the U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad,” the department said in a statement. Seek consular access and endeavor to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
Leake is the third American to be detained in Russia amid heightened tensions with the United States. Last year, WNBA star Brittney Griner was released on a prisoner exchange after being jailed on drug charges. March, wall street journal Journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges and remains in custody.