Texas Father Details Ordeal in Russian Penal Colony After Visiting Abducted Sons

David Barnes, a 69-year-old father from Texas, has described the harsh realities of a Russian penal colony where he is serving a 22.5-year sentence. Barnes was arrested in January 2022 after traveling to Moscow to see his two sons, whom he claims were abducted by his ex-wife, Svetlana Boricovna.

Boricovna, who had previously accused Barnes of sexually abusing their children, took the boys from their Houston home. Texas authorities investigated these claims and found no evidence of crimes committed by Barnes. Despite this, a Russian court found him guilty of molesting the children.

Barnes is currently held at the IK-7 penal colony in Shilovo, a facility where inmates reportedly face severe conditions, forced labor, and allegations of systemic torture. In interviews with Texas Monthly, Barnes detailed what he described as abysmal medical care, noting the absence of dental facilities and the practice of only extracting teeth when necessary. He has lost half of his teeth over the past four years.

He also reported significant weight loss, attributing it to malnutrition and a diet consisting primarily of cabbage, macaroni, and stringy meat. While he has limited opportunities for exercise, contact with the outside world is scarce. Phone calls are restricted to 15 minutes and often suffer from poor connections. His sister, Carol Barnes, has expressed concern, reporting that she hears other prisoners yelling in the background during their calls and suspects her brother may be extorted for protection.

Barnes maintains his innocence and believes he is a political prisoner, feeling abandoned by American lawmakers. He has expressed disappointment with Texas congressmen and stated he has not received responses from the Texas Attorney General, Senator Ted Cruz, or state representative James Talarico. Barnes has expressed hope that former President Donald Trump would intervene to help secure his release.

Barnes and Boricovna met in 2007 and married in 2009. Their relationship deteriorated, and by 2013, they were living separately. After a court dispute in Texas regarding custody in 2019, Boricovna took the boys, their passports, and flew to Russia. Barnes subsequently traveled to Russia in December 2021 to pursue custody arrangements, only to be arrested the following month on charges related to the abuse allegations.

His trial began in the fall of 2022 and concluded in February 2024 with his conviction and sentencing. An appeal based on procedural grounds was rejected, and his sentence was subsequently increased by one year.