'We want him home': Family, friends rally to bring home Huntsville native in Russian captivity
David Barnes has been imprisoned in Russia since January 2022 over a crime his family says he did not commit.
David Barnes' Journey to Russia Barnes went to Russia for two sons
A Huntsville family is on a mission, and it's to bring their brother home.
His name is David Barnes, and he's been imprisoned in Russia for a crime the family says he did not commit. Next January would make it three years.
Barnes had been working in Houston. He was in a custody battle with his ex-wife, Svetlana, originally from Russia.
We reviewed court documents that showed his "ex" made claims that Barnes had abused their two sons. However, a jury found him not guilty following a trial in March of 2019.
Shortly after his ex-wife fled to Russia with their two children, court documents also reveal she is indicted for interference with child custody.
The family says Barnes went to Russia for his sons in December of 2021, right before the start of the Russian, Ukrainian war.
Barnes' ex-wife reported him to Russian authorities, claiming child abuse. They are the same allegations that were rejected here in the states.
However in Russia, Barnes was convicted and sentenced to 21 years in prison. His sisters Carol Barnes and Margaret Aaron, aren't alone to bring him home.
However, they say they feel forgotten along the way.
"He's our brother, who's been detained in Russia for over 950 days for a crime he did not commit. We want to get him home. We want our government to get him home," said Carol.
Huntsville is that home. It's where he grew up and where he graduated high school, the former S.R. Butler High School to be exact.
However, loved ones can't see him. They can't barely hear him at times. Though they certainly feel the pain. It's all too clear in the letters he sends.
David's imprisonment Family describes prison conditions
FOX54 News sat in Margaret's home. We heard an audio, of David talking to his family and friends in Russia.
"It's heartbreaking to hear his voice," said Paul.
"First time we'd heard it in two years," said Carol.
"Just to describe the conditions, what his cell is like .. His main focus is food," said Margaret.
Carol says it hasn't been easy sending money David Barnes needs for decent food. "With all the sanctions on Russia, though, we have to have other people doing it from other countries," said Carol.
Margaret calls the conditions deplorable. "He's been this spare set of clothes for going on three years. Yeah, same clothes," she said.
"I've got your sister and your best friend here. To which they might be well. Hi, David. Welcome to Mr. B… Mr. C…
The sisters, aren't alone in this fight. Paul has been the driving force behind the effort to get David home.
He's a childhood friend, going back to the days of football.. Paul says David's journey to Russia was driven by his love for his children. Nothing more. "David went over there with no intentions. Just just keep contact with his two sons. He loves his boys."
A call to Action Family, friends plead to leaders
Paul says it's also been tough, working to get attention here in the U.S. On David's case. "It's the wrongful detention status that was not granted to him. We applied for that over a year ago and the State Department didn't acknowledge that until 315 days later.
David's return home is even more urgent now that the appeal process is nearing an end. "So we're not really looking forward to him losing the appeal. We know it's going to happen, but it's where he as bad as it is, where he is, we want him to stay there as long as possible."
"He can be worse where he will be transported 300 miles. We won't have communication with him, you know, once he doesn't need an attorney anymore, we won't have communication with him," said Paul.
David is represented by an American attorney in Russia, managing his case, and helping facilitate those letters David would send back home.
"This last letter was the first that he had sent us since the exchange happened. And in that letter, he was just devastated. He was like, I should have been in this. Why am I not in this? Why am I not home?," said Paul.
"Anthony Blinken, the Secretary of State, to Joe Biden, The President, to the Senators Cornyn and Cruz out of Texas. Tuberville and Britt out of Alabama. They are Strong and Crenshaw. The congressmen in those districts, please help us push to get David out of there. We want him home."
Margaret, carol, and Paul say they remain hopeful David will come home. They have mixed emotions as they watched the recent prisoner exchange involving Russia, the United States, and other nations.
We've reached out to Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt about David's case, and are waiting to hear back.
We'll keep you posted on developments.