The Eastern District Court of Texas sentenced Russian citizen Natalia Semenova in a narcotics-related case to time served, which currently totals 8 months and 24 days. This information was provided by Semenova’s lawyer, Alexey Tarasov, to a TASS correspondent.
“Judge Campbell Barker sentenced Natalia Semenova to time served,” Tarasov stated. The exact timing of Semenova’s release will depend on the completion of the necessary procedures, with Tarasov indicating that it could occur by Monday at the latest.
Following the 67-year-old Russian woman’s release from custody, American immigration services will determine whether she remains in this country. Tarasov pointed out that during the court hearing, the judge did not mandate Semenova’s deportation, even though he had the authority to do so. Semenova has been a resident of the United States since 2009, following her marriage to American Russell Roth, who is also implicated in this case. Roth, 81, has a prior conviction for a similar offense, which Semenova was unaware of before their marriage. Roth’s sentencing will take place at a later date.
The lawyer mentioned that Semenova was content with the court’s judgment and eager to return to the farm where she had been living in recent years, but she ultimately wished to return to Russia. “Natalia intends to eventually go back to Russia; her mother, who is 87 years old and lives in the Stavropol Territory, is still alive,” Tarasov added.
Semenova was detained at the end of February following a police raid near the couple’s home, where approximately 450 kg of marijuana was seized. Initially, she faced charges of criminal conspiracy and complicity in drug production, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. However, at sentencing, the prosecution dismissed all but one charge against her: possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.
Source: TASS, November 17, 2023
A U.S. Court Sentenced Russian Woman Semenova to Time Served
