Butler man sentenced to 14 years in Russian prison
A Butler man has been sentenced to 14 years in Moscow prison for “large-scale” cannabis smuggling, international news publications are reporting.
Marc Fogel, formerly of Butler, was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport in August 2021, accused of attempting to smuggle marijuana into the country in his luggage.
Russia’s Interior Ministry said in a statement Friday that Fogel turned out to be a teacher at the Anglo-American school, and was previously an employee of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Russian officials say Fogel was employed in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and benefited from diplomatic immunity until May 2021.
Local sources confirm that Fogel is a 1980 graduate of Butler Area High School.
This story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.
