They were both arrested within a short timeframe for similar crimes. However, he is not a world famous celebrity athlete. He is not a Two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star. Therefore it is highly likely that a 61-year old western Pennsylvanian will serve the remainder of this life in a Russian penal colony.
The name Brittney Griner takes priority over that of Marc Fogel. Griner is star basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury. In February, she was traveling to Moscow to play during the offseason when she was busted by airport security which found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty in July and is awaiting sentencing - likely 10 years.
Marc Fogel, a Butler-native who recently resided in Oakmont, is familiar with Russian laws. He was en route to Moscow to teach children of US diplomats at the Anglo-American school, which he has done for 10-years. Fogel was arrested, according to High Times, in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on August 14, 2021 with several vape carts and 17 grams of weed hidden in his luggage. 17 grams of medical marijuana - slightly more than half an ounce - is basically 30 joints or a lunch baggie full. It is a 2-3 week supply depending on how you roll, according to Colorado Cannabis Tours.
The 61-year old has been prescribed medical marijuana legally in the United States due to chronic pain following several knee & back surgeries, a spinal fusion, and a hip replacement. However, Pennsylvania laws do not translate to the former Soviet Union, especially in a time when tensions between Moscow and DC are high. Cannabis and CBD cartridges are illegal in Russia. In times of peace an American may get deported. In June he was sentenced to 14-years hard labor.
On Wednesday, without a deal already secured and Americans ‘wheels up’ heading for home, CNN broke the news that the Biden Administration offered a prisoner exchange for Griner and another American, Paul Whelan, for a Russian weapons dealer held in the US. Although the potential exchange seemed out of whack due to the notorious reputation of the Russian, I immediately was hopeful that I would see the name of one of our region’s residents, as well. I thought that, maybe, if/when the Biden Administration does Vladimir Putin the favor of releasing Viktor Bout that the State Department could bring many Americans home - be they on the ‘unlawfully detained overseas’ list or not. Regardless of how one feels about smuggling drugs into foreign lands. Boy, was I quickly crestfallen. We’ll have to wait until the next time a dictator takes Americans off their nation’s streets.
US Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (14th district) joined the KDKA Radio Morning Show to remind us that “members of the House and Senate do not negotiate these deals. We can only pressure the administration.” I asked the representative if there was anything more that he can do. Congressman Reschenthaler replied that, “Yes, we will coalesce as the western Pennsylvania delegation, (Mike) Doyle (18th district), (Conor) Lamb (17th district), (Mike) Kelly (16th district), and myself, and John Joyce (13th district) and try to work to bring attention to this. You have my word. But, at the end of the day, it would immensely help if we had national media attention coverage on this to bring attention. Again, it shows priorities of national media and the administration.” I promised to call my former Fox News boss in NYC. You need to contact your member of Congress.
‘Barabbas’ Bout could be freed from 25-years in comparatively comfy US Prisons for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Not a peep about our Marc Fogel. Fogel’s wife told the Washington Post that “there’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that Marc will be left behind.” Mr. Fogel, from miserable conditions, stated ‘Teachers are at least as important as bballers.’
Brittney Griner is a high-profile American. Her celebrity has raised awareness for other US citizens ‘wrongfully detained’ overseas. One of them is Paul Whelan who was arrested in Russia in December 2018. Whelan is a retired Marine who worked as an executive for a Michigan-based security. He was sentenced to 16 years hard labor on espionage charges while in Russia for a fellow Marine’s wedding.
Whelan’s twin brother, David, is grateful that his sibling was included in the prisoner swap proposal - telling ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ that his family was “taken by surprise” with the announcement by the US State Department. David Whelan adding, “And, it’s nice also to know that offers are being made.” The ultimate approval of this proposal sits in the hands of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
The offer is astounding. The US should have asked for much more and had a deal in place prior to any announcement if they were going to give up someone as infamous as Bout. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is willing to trade Griner and Whelan for someone known as ‘The Merchant of Death’ and ‘The Sanctions Busters’. Viktor Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 while meeting to sell $20 million worth of anti-aircraft missiles, machine guns and ammo to people he thought were narco-terrorists from Columbia. They were US Agents. Bout now sits in a federal prison in Illinois.
As excited as he is for the prospects of freedom for his brother, David Whelan admits that the trade is lopsided. After all, books have been written and movies have been made about the notorious dealings of Bout, a former Lieutenant Colonial in the Soviet Army. He is a translator who has mastered 6 languages. His arms dealing with terror cells have resulted in the deaths of American service members and contractors. Mr. Whelan telling Fox News that “It’s a hard call. Fortunately, I’m not the president of the United States. But if the president makes that difficult decision, I would absolutely support Paul’s release…”
All of Pittsburgh, which overwhelmingly pulled the lever for Joe in 2020, should be screaming for our neighbor Marc Fogel’s name to be added to the proposal if the Biden Administration is even remotely willing to release a killer like Bout.
Kevin Battle does not smuggle drugs or vape cartridges into foreign countries but still gets nervous going through airport security. He is cohost of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh’s 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: ‘Play NewsRadio KDKA.’ Thank you.