May 12, 2025
U.S. Senator John Cornyn has called for the release of Texan David Barnes, who has been detained in Russia for over four years. This appeal follows a letter from recently-freed Russian prisoner Ksenia Karelina to President Donald J. Trump, urging the return of Barnes and two other Americans 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,” stated Sen. Cornyn. “I urge President Trump and Secretary Rubio to prioritize efforts to bring David and all wrongfully-detained Americans throughout the world home.”
The background of Barnes’ case involves accusations from his ex-wife in 2015, alleging sexual abuse against their two sons in Texas. An investigation deemed these accusations not credible, resulting in no charges filed against Barnes in the United States. In 2019, amid a child custody battle, his ex-wife relocated to Russia with their children. Subsequently, a Texas court appointed Barnes as the primary guardian and issued an arrest warrant for his ex-wife due to interference with child custody.
In 2022, Barnes traveled to Russia intending to reconnect with his sons but was arrested following allegations made by his ex-wife concerning the earlier accusations in Texas. A Russian judge sentenced him to 21 years in prison in 2024.
Senator Cornyn has maintained contact with the State Department about this case and regularly communicates with Global Reach, an advocacy group highlighting this situation.
