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Tag: identified

  • Kalob Wayne Byers identified as American detained in Russia

    Kalob Wayne Byers identified as American detained in Russia

    Kalob Wayne Byers was identified as the American citizen taken into custody in Russia on a drug smuggling charge, according to media reports. 

    The 28-year-old was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on Feb. 7 after a K-9 with the Russian Federal Customs Service detected something in his luggage, Russia’s TASS news agency reported. 

    Byers will remain in custody for 30 days, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the Moscow City Court’s Press Office. It released an image Saturday purportedly showing Byers behind bars as he appeared by video link at a court hearing. 

    The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday by Fox News Digital. 

    UKRAINE BLAMES RUSSIA FOR DRONE ATTACK ON CHERNOBYL’S PROTECTIVE SHELL 

    U.S. citizen, Kalob Wayne Byers, detained on suspicion of drug smuggling, appears on a screen in the courthouse during a video link to a court hearing in Moscow, Russia on Feb. 15. (Moscow City Court’s Press Office/Reuters)

    Byers was allegedly carrying cannabis gummies at the time of his detention. 

    He has been charged with smuggling narcotic drugs into the country and could face up to 10 years in prison, TASS reported.  

    TRUMP’S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE EAST REVEALS HOW THE US SECURED MARC FOGEL’S RELEASE 

    Alexander Vinnik and Marc Fogel

    Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik, left, was swapped for American Marc Fogel this week. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

    “A chemical analysis revealed the presence of narcotic substances from the cannabinoid group,” the customs service reported, according to TASS, adding the man claimed his U.S. doctor had prescribed the gummies.  

    News of Byers’ detention comes as Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen who was detained on drug charges in Russia four years ago, was released on Tuesday in exchange for Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik, who had been detained by the U.S. government on cryptocurrency fraud charges.  

    Marc Fogel

    Released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel reacts after returning to American soil this week. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

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    Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana. 

    Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report. 

    Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

  • US Marine identified as victim of surveillance flight that crashed in Philippines

    US Marine identified as victim of surveillance flight that crashed in Philippines

    The Marine who died alongside three defense contractors last Thursday when their surveillance flight crashed in the Philippines has been identified as Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, according to officials.

    Last week, a Department of Defense-contracted aircraft went down in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur while “providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

    There were no survivors, officials said, who added that there were four personnel on the plane, including a U.S. military service member.

    On Sunday, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command identified Durham as the Marine on the plane. The three contractors have not been identified.

    US MILITARY SURVEILLANCE FLIGHT CRASHES IN PHILIPPINES, KILLING 4

    Wreckage of an airplane is seen in a rice field in Maguindanao del Sur province, Philippines. Officials say a U.S. military-contracted plane crashed, killing all four people on board, on Feb. 6, 2025. (Sam Mala/UGC via AP)

    The California native was trained as an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst and assigned to the 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

    In a press release, Indo-Pacific Command said Durham joined the Marine Corps in January 2021 and had just been promoted to his current rank on Feb. 1.

    Durham earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast and Naval Aircrew Insignia.

    US MILITARY FLYING SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT FOR RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS ALONG SOUTHERN BORDER WITH MEXICO

    Officials say a U.S. military-contracted plane crashed in a rice field in the southern Philippines, killing all four people on board.

    A U.S. military-contracted plane crashed in a rice field, killing all four people on board, on Feb. 6, 2025. (Sam Mala/UGC via AP)

    “We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion. “Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps – exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership. He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his fellow Marines during this profoundly difficult time.”

    The aircraft involved in the crash was a Marine Corps Beechcraft King Air 350, a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News.

    Military officials say the plane crashed during a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities.

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    Officials added that the aircraft was providing surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance support for the ally nation.

    The cause of the crash is under investigation.

    Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed to this report.

    Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

    Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.