US soldier Gordon Black sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison in Russian penal colony

Nearly seven weeks after U.S. Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested for theft in Russia and sentenced to three years and nine months in a penal colony, according to the Associated Press. The Washington PostCNN and ABC News.

According to the AP, Black was found guilty of robbery and threats of murder on June 19 by a court in the Russian city of Vladivostok. The 34-year-old was visiting his girlfriend in Vladivostok, who accused him of stealing from her, the outlet told both U.S. and Russian officials.

In addition to his sentence, the AP reported that Russian news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti said Black was also ordered to pay 10,000 rubles ($120) in damages.

His trial began two days before, Russian media ABC News reported, and although he did not admit to charges of assault or threatening to kill, he pleaded partially guilty to the theft charges.

According to CNN, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that, speaking to the Pervomaisky District Court on Monday, Black said that after removing money from the woman's purse – which he said she spent on food and three nights in a hotel – he wired $125 for her the next day. Additionally, the news agency reported that Black said the woman would collect a deposit of 10,000 rubles from the landlord after the lease on the apartment he paid for ended.

The Washington Post identified the woman as Alexandra Vashchuk. According to the Russian media Interfax, via the Job, Black was arrested after a fight in the couple's shared apartment where, in addition to taking money, he allegedly grabbed Vashchuk by the neck. Black claimed she began hitting him and acting aggressively after consuming half a bottle of vodka, the news agency reported.

U.S. officials told ABC News in May that Black was stationed in South Korea and was on temporary leave at the time of his arrest, although he had not received permission to travel to Russia.

Black's parents previously told ABC News that their son had been dating the Russian bartender for years after meeting her near his base in South Korea. Black's stepfather, Marty Jones, said they tried to “talk him out of it” when they heard about his plans to visit.

“Their relationship was definitely volatile, which is why we were always against it,” Jones told the outlet. “We tried to tell him 'stay away'. ”

According to Russian news agency TASS, CNN reported that Black's lawyer said the soldier would appeal the sentence.