Lawyer for former Holyoke City Councilor confirms client joined Russian Army [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – The lawyer for former Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota says his client lawyer did in fact join the Russian army after he was set to go to trial back in January on child pornography charges in Rhode Island.

Puello-Mota’s lawyer said during a telephone interview with The Boston Globe that the 28-year-old, who had previously served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, had absolutely no intention of returning to the United States.

His lawyer said he envisioned a career in politics and believed the criminal charges “had ruined his life.”

Last week, a video was posted to a Russian social media channel showing Puello-Mota signing a contract to officially join the country’s armed services.

Puello-Mota served one-term as a City Councilor in Holyoke and did not seek reelection.

His lawyer said the former City Councilor never suggested he was fleeing and never talked about Russia or …