An American tutor was slapped with a 10-day prison sentence in Russia on charges of “petty hooliganism” — including allegations that he got drunk and naked in public, according to Russian state media.
William Russell Nycom, 49, “drank alcoholic beverages, then was found naked in the courtyard, expressed obvious disrespect for society, citizens and public order, for which he was detained by police officers,” RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday, citing Moscow courts.
Nycom is also accused of climbing through a window of a children’s library and falling asleep inside, according to local TV channel, REN TV.
Nycom was in the country on a six-month tourist visa and was working as an English tutor, according to the TV outlet. Records show he last lived in Arkansas.
The State Department would not confirm to The Post if Nycom was one of the two Americans detained in Russia in the last week.
Reports indicate that Staff Sgt. Gordon C. Black was also arrested in Russia in the past week on allegations of stealing from a woman. Black had been stationed in South Korea and allegedly went to Vladivostok, Russia, to visit a woman.
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“We reiterate our strong warnings about the danger posed to U.S. citizens inside the Russian Federation. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as stated in our Travel Advisory for Russia,” a State Department official told The Post.
“When a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, consular officers seek to aid him or her with all appropriate assistance,” the official added. “Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”
The White House confirmed Tuesday that there were two Americans detained in Russia.
“What I also can confirm is that there are two separate cases of US citizens being detained in Russia. The State Department is actively seeking consular access to both individuals, neither of whom were in Russia on behalf or in affiliation with the US government,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The State Department has urged all American citizens in Russia to depart immediately amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Other US citizens have also been recently detained in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and ballerina Ksenia Karelina.
