Russian Operative Maria Butina Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

RUSSIA-US-POLITICS-ESPIONAGE

A Russian operative accused of using her connections with the National Rifle Association to illegally infiltrate conservative political circles has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by a federal judge, it was reported Friday.

Maria Butina, 30, was an American University graduate student who pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign official. The judge ordered that Butina be deported from the United States as soon as she finished serving her time.

"You have a future ahead of you. I wish you the best luck," the judge said.

Butina spoke for several minutes during her sentencing hearing, expressing regret for her crime, saying she was only in the country to help mend relations between Russia and the U.S.

"I came here to better my life to get a degree. I wished to mend relations while building my resume," she said. "It was for these actions and my own ignorance that I’m here."

The Russian national admitted that her actions ultimately hurt relations between Russia and the U.S.

"It has never been my intention to harm American people but I did so by not notifying your government. It has harmed my attempts to improve relations, " she said. “I have three degrees, but now I’m a convicted felon with no money, no job, and no freedom.

“Instead of building peace, I created discord,” Butina said.

Maria Butina Arrested On Spying Charges

Butina admitted to working at the behest of a Russian official with her boyfriend, Paul Erickson, a Republican operative identified in court documents as "U.S. Person 1." She was charged with establishing "unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over U.S. politics ... for the benefit of the Russian Federation," court documents state.

The Russian operative also admitted to using sex as a weapon to help her gain influence over people. At one point, prosecutors say Butina offered to cheat on her boyfriend (U.S. Person 1) in exchange for a position in a special interest organization, prosecutors revealed in court documents.

"Further, in papers seized by the FBI, Butina complained about living with U.S. Person 1 and expressed disdain for continuing to cohabitate with U.S. Person 1," court documents state.

She also assisted in planning a trip to Moscow for members of the NRA to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavorov.

"I deeply regret this crime," Butina said. "Ironically it has harmed my attempts to improve relationships between the two countries."

Photos: Getty Images


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