Former Russian Mercenary Arrested by Texas Border Patrol

Border Patrol agents recently arrested a man who illegally crossed the Rio Grande into Texas. The arrest of the former Russian mercenary was made near Roma.

The Arrest of Timur Praliev

According to Valleycentral.com, Praliev crossed the Rio Grande with two passports and a total of $4,000 and 60,000 pesos. A courtroom attorney, Amanda McColgan, also stated that he was in possession of a drone hidden inside his backpack as he crossed the border.

Praliev admitted he was a member of the state-funded Russian private military group PMC Wagner. After he was arrested, Praliev stated he was a citizen of Kazakhstan while carrying both Russian and Kazakhstan passports.

Valley Central also included remarks that the military group PMC Wagner is considered a criminal organization by the U.S. Treasury Department, and that the group has played key roles in the Russia-Ukraine war.

It is currently unclear as to why Praliev was crossing the southern border into Texas or why he was carrying a drone. Border patrol agents charged him with the federal misdemeanor of illegally entering the U.S., to which he pleaded guilty.

The Sentencing of Timur Praliev

Despite this, McColgan, the federal prosecutor, requested that Praliev receive a 15-day sentence. Her decision was due to the dangerous implications that the PMC Wagner group pose.

"The government is concerned about safety of the community when this defendant is released," McColgan continued, "because his association with the group associated with political violence."

Despite the defense attorney arguing that the PMC Wagner group is not as aggressive and dangerous as they may seem, the presiding judge sentenced Praliev to time served.

When the judge asked Praliev, who required a translator, if he had anything to say, his only response was "Nyet."