As former President Donald Trump prepares for his trip to Alaska this Friday, the focus is on his discussions regarding the future of Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A significant topic on the agenda may be the potential for a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. This is particularly important for the family of David Barnes, a Texas man who is currently serving the longest prison sentence of any American in Russia.
Margaret Aaron, one of David Barnes' two sisters, expressed her family's hope for improved diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Russia. In an interview with ABC News anchor Gio Benitez, she stated, "We hope for better relations between the U.S. and Russia that will hopefully lead to the release of my brother." David Barnes, who hails from Alabama, has been detained in Moscow since January 2022, where he is serving a 21.5-year sentence. "He's hanging in there," Aaron added. "He has been extremely strong through the last three and a half years. We're proud of him, and he continues to be hopeful that something will happen."
Unlike other Americans detained in Russia, Barnes faces allegations made by Russian prosecutors concerning crimes committed in the United States, not within Russian jurisdiction. Notably, American law enforcement did not participate in his prosecution. Barnes was convicted by a Russian court for allegedly abusing his sons years earlier in Texas. However, prosecutors in Montgomery County, Texas informed ABC News that they found no evidence to support these claims after an investigation was launched following reports from Barnes' Russian ex-wife.
Kelly Blackburn, Trial Bureau Chief at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, stated, "Everyone that heard and investigated the child sexual abuse allegations raised by Mrs. Barnes during the custody proceedings did not find them to be credible." Aaron emphasized her brother's innocence, saying, "He’s been suffering. He’s innocent."
Barnes' ex-wife, Svetlana Koptyaeva, has accused him of abuse while they were raising their children in Texas. In 2019, during a custody dispute, Koptyaeva was charged with felony interference with child custody after allegedly taking their sons to Russia. Despite a Texas family court designating Barnes as the primary guardian in 2020, his ex-wife's actions complicated matters. Barnes traveled to Russia after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in an attempt to secure similar custody rights in local courts. However, he was arrested shortly after arriving and has remained incarcerated since.
In April, a Moscow judge denied Barnes' appeal against his conviction. "We really, really need to have him designated as wrongfully detained," Aaron stated, urging for assistance from Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin marks a significant diplomatic moment, especially following the recent prisoner exchange that saw ballerina Ksenia Karelina return to the U.S. Karelina had previously written to Trump advocating for the release of Barnes and fellow Americans Robert Gilman and Andre Khachatoorian.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn from Texas has also voiced his support, stating, "David Barnes, a Texas father of two sons, has been detained in Russia for far too long under charges already proven to be false, and it is past time for him to be released." He urged Trump and Rubio to prioritize the efforts to bring Barnes and all wrongfully detained Americans home.
While other American detainees like Paul Whelan, Trevor Reed, and Brittney Griner were transferred to penal colonies far from Moscow, Barnes remains in the capital. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department confirmed that they have visited Barnes eight times since his arrest in January 2022, with the most recent visit occurring in May 2025. As the presidential summit in Anchorage approaches, Barnes' family and friends are watching closely. "David’s strength keeps us going," Aaron concluded.
