US Army soldier detained, charged in Russia with criminal misconduct: officials [Video]

A U.S. Army soldier was detained in Vladivostok, Russia, last Thursday and has been charged with criminal misconduct, according to officials.

A senior U.S. defense official identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, who was stationed in South Korea and on leave to head home, when he went to Russia.

Black was at the end of his tour and made a detour on his way back home.

Russian authorities claim Black stole something and arrested him, the official said, though it is largely thought to be a trumped-up charge in order to arrest an American.

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“The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith said. “The Army notified his family, and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia.”

Smith was unable to …