WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today called for the release of Texan David Barnes, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia for more than four years, following recently-freed Russian prisoner Ksenia Karelina’s letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the safe return of Barnes and two other Americans being held by Russia:

“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.”

Background:

In 2015, David Barnes was accused by his ex-wife of sexually abusing his two sons in Texas, one of whom has Russian nationality. An investigation found the accusation to not be credible, and no charges were filed against Barnes in the United States. During an ongoing child custody battle in 2019, his ex-wife fled to Russia with the children. 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. In 2022, Barnes traveled to Russia to regain contact with his sons and was arrested by Russian police, who had been informed by his ex-wife of the child sexual abuse accusations in Texas. In 2024, a Russian judge sentenced Barnes to 21 years in prison.

Sen. Cornyn 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.