US Soldier Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Russian Penal Colony

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black convicted of theft and threatening his girlfriend, sparking diplomatic tensions.

Gordon Black was sentenced to three years and nine months in Vladivostok for theft and murder threats.
Black met his girlfriend in South Korea and traveled to Russia without military authorization.
He pleaded partially guilty to theft but denied making death threats.
The case adds to the list of detained Americans amid strained US-Russia relations.
Black's defense plans to appeal the verdict.