A Dallas man, a 56-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was sentenced to six months in prison for violating the terms of his probation after attempting to join the Russian military to fight against Ukraine. The man, identified as Loftus, was stopped from boarding a flight to Tbilisi, Georgia, via Istanbul, Turkey, when Turkish Airlines flagged him as a security risk.
Loftus had not obtained court permission to travel internationally or to drive from Texas to Iowa, where he was arrested by the FBI. He admitted to planning to secure a visa to Russia and join the Russian Territorial Defense Unit, sending money for equipment for Russian soldiers.
Despite his intentions, Loftus declined to address the court during sentencing, where the judge criticized his repeated violations of court orders and disregard for the law. Loftus' defense attorney stated that he wanted to enlist in the Russian military out of sympathy for Russian soldiers.
Prosecutors highlighted Loftus' previous involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot and subsequent social media posts where he referred to himself as a 'hero.' They recommended a six-month prison sentence for his probation violation, citing his previous arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Since the Capitol riot, over 1,500 individuals have been charged with related crimes, with more than 1,000 convicted and sentenced. Despite promises of pardons from former President Trump, district court judges have continued to enforce sentencing without delay.
