MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is urging President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prioritize efforts to bring a Montgomery County man wrongfully detained in Russia home.
David Barnes has been detained in Russia since 2022.
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Barnes had traveled to Moscow in an attempt to reunite with his two young sons, taken by his ex-wife, Svetlana, when she fled to Russia amid a child custody battle.
In 2015, Barnes was accused by his ex-wife of sexually abusing his sons in Texas, one of whom has a Russian nationality.
The allegations were deemed completely unfounded by a jury and no charges were filed.
In 2019, Barnes’ ex-wife fled to Russia, taking the children with her. A Texas court designated Barnes as the primary guardian of his sons, his ex-wife was indicted for interference with child custody, and a warrant was issued for her arrest in Texas.
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When Barnes went to Moscow in 2022, he was arrested by Russian police, after his ex-wife informed them of the accusations made against Barnes in Texas.
“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,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I urge President Trump and Secretary Rubio to prioritize efforts to bring David and all wrongfully-detained Americans throughout the world home.”
In 2024, a Russian judge sentenced Barnes to 21 years in prison.
Cornyn’s office says the Senator has been in contact with the State Department regarding Barnes’ case and has remained in consistent communication with Global Reach, an advocacy organization that is working to call attention to this case.