Wilmer Puello-Mota

Wilmer Puello-Mota
Wilmer Puello-Mota in U.S. Air Force uniform
Born1995 (age 30–31)
AllegianceUnited States United States (2013–2022)
Russia Russia (2024–present)
Branch
 United States Air Force (2013–2019)

Massachusetts Air National Guard (2019–2022)
Russian Ground Forces (2024–present)

Unmanned Systems Forces (2025–present)
Unit 66th Air Base Group (2013–2019)

455th Air Expeditionary Wing (2015)
379th Air Expeditionary Wing (2018)
104th Fighter Wing (2019–2022)
Pyatnashka Brigade (2024)

41st Guards Combined Arms Army (2024–present)
Conflicts
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Education

Wilmer Puello-Mota (born 1995) is a former Holyoke, Massachusetts city councilor and decorated military veteran, who moved from the United States to Russia on January 8, 2024. The flight occurred 3 days after the conclusion of his city council term and two days before he was scheduled to appear in court for child pornography and obstruction of justice charges in Rhode Island.[1]

Education

Air University, Community College of the Air Force
Criminal Justice, 2018
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Incomplete

Political career

Wilmer Puello-Mota
Wilmer Puello-Mota, Holyoke City Councilor

Puello-Mota served as a member of the Holyoke City Council in Massachusetts from 2022 to 2024, representing Ward 2, a predominantly Puerto Rican district. He won the 2021 election unopposed at approximately age 26, making him one of the youngest Latinos elected to the council.[2][3]

He served on the Finance Committee and participated in the Development and Governmental Relations and Public Service Committees. During his tenure, the City Council oversaw municipal budgets totaling approximately $317.7 million for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.[4][5] The city also received and allocated significant federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during this period for recovery efforts, infrastructure, public safety, housing, and community projects.[6]

Puello-Mota consistently advocated for lower taxes and reduced government spending. He voted in favor of the FY2023 budget but was one of three councilors to vote against the FY2024 budget, which passed by a 10-3 margin.[4][5]

During his term, the city collected cannabis community impact (host community) fees, which were held in a stabilization fund. These funds supported projects including infrastructure improvements such as sidewalk repairs and road paving. Puello-Mota filed multiple orders for road and sidewalk repairs, crosswalks, tree trimming (in response to the emerald ash borer infestation), and related infrastructure work in Ward 2 and South Holyoke, and participated in discussions on the allocation of marijuana stabilization funds (including transfers for sewer and other projects).[7][8]

Wilmer Puello-Mota
Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota

Despite facing criminal charges in Rhode Island that led to his arrest, detention, and temporary absence from council duties, Puello-Mota continued to serve his full term until January 2024.

In September 2022, the city's Law Department declared his seat vacant under Section 46 of the Holyoke city charter while he faced pending charges. Puello-Mota sued the city to retain his seat. A Hampden Superior Court judge quickly ruled in his favor, issuing an injunction that the city could not remove him without a conviction. He returned to the council shortly afterward.[9][10]

In October 2022, shortly after returning to the council, Puello-Mota submitted an order requesting a Law Department interpretation of Section 46 of the Holyoke City Charter. The order asked whether the provision — which states that conviction of a crime punishable by imprisonment creates a vacancy — applied to convictions prior to taking office. Had the order passed and the Law Department ruled that prior convictions triggered a vacancy, at least two of the councilors who had sought his removal earlier that year could have lost their seats. The request was viewed as retaliation against those councilors who had prior convictions. After heated debate, the council voted 7–6 to give the order leave to withdraw, so no formal legal opinion was issued.[11][12]

While Puello-Mota was absent due to the charges, the City Council considered accepting a $50,000 federal grant for a pilot program using ShotSpotter, an acoustic gunfire detection system. The proposal initially failed by one vote at a September 1, 2022 special meeting. Puello-Mota returned to the council shortly afterward and cast the deciding vote in favor when the measure came up again on October 4, 2022, ensuring its passage. He supported the police department budgets without major cuts in both FY2023 and FY2024.[13][4][5]

During the April 5, 2022 City Council meeting, Puello-Mota was the only councilor to vote against a Fire Department request using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for a $3,500 official Sparky the Fire Dog mascot suit. He questioned the expense, arguing he could find a similar costume on Amazon for much less, and at one point referred to it as a "Halloween costume".[14]

Puello-Mota also criticized the use of CPA funds for projects involving private non-profit developers such as One Holyoke CDC. He argued that taxpayers were effectively subsidizing the construction of multi-family housing units upfront, only for the properties to later be sold or rented at full market rates without long-term affordability restrictions, meaning residents were "paying twice." He contended this created a profit loophole for developers and that it would take the city decades to recoup the public investment through increased tax revenue. Councilor Joe McGivern defended the approach as a way to create new taxpayers. The projects ultimately advanced without Puello-Mota's support.[14]

Puello-Mota supported efforts to reduce the city's Community Preservation Act (CPA) property tax surcharge (from 1.5% to 1%). He and the conservative block on the council filed orders and pushed for a ballot question on the issue. Mayor Joshua Garcia vetoed the initial attempt to place the question on the 2023 ballot. Puello-Mota and the conservative block sued the city in an attempt to override the veto and place the question on the ballot. A Hampden Superior Court judge denied the request for an injunction. The question was later placed on the November 2024 ballot, where voters approved the reduction to 1%.[15][16]

Wilmer Puello-Mota in Holyoke
Will Puello in Holyoke

During Puello-Mota’s term on the City Council, the city advanced plans for a new middle school to replace the aging William R. Peck Middle School. In June 2023, the Council voted unanimously to approve $85.5 million in bonding for the construction of the new facility, with Puello-Mota voting in favor. The project received significant state support through the Massachusetts School Building Authority.[17]

Puello-Mota filed various orders on city operations and policy, including requesting a legal opinion on establishing recall provisions for elected officials.[12] He filed an order questioning whether a council seat becomes vacant if a ward councilor no longer resides in the ward; this was in reference to City Council President Todd McGee, who had moved out of his ward.[12] He also filed an order seeking state legislation regarding the city's syringe access program (sometimes referred to as a needle exchange program), noting that it operated without any exchange requirement. He proposed either eliminating the program or converting it into a true exchange program as a compromise, and brought in the local state senator and state representative to participate in a hearing on the proposed legislation.[12][8]

Puello-Mota inquired about the mayor’s use of a city-issued vehicle following multiple accidents (including a second, most recent accident) and requested details on what happened to the vehicle (a gray Ford Taurus), including any costs or insurance payouts, as well as the current city vehicle use policy.[12][18] In October 2023, he filed an order with another councilor requesting that the Holyoke Police Department provide a detailed list of events and exact dollar amounts for police details or paid overtime over the preceding six months. The order specifically highlighted concerns about the use of public funds for private businesses popular with city leadership (such as events at Fiesta Cafe, owned by a friend of the mayor), contrasting it with community events that had previously needed to budget their own funds.[19]

In October 2023, Puello-Mota submitted an order requesting a legal opinion from the city’s Law Department on ethics concerns regarding the mayor’s appointment of City Council President Todd McGee to the Holyoke Retirement Board. The order cited Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A, Section 20, and questioned compliance with the six-month waiting period for elected officials after leaving office. Puello-Mota argued that the appointment raised potential conflicts and pushed for a more detailed formal opinion during Public Service Committee discussions. McGee was ultimately retained on the board.[19]

Puello-Mota was the only councilor to vote against a resolution expressing support and solidarity for the LGBTQ community. The resolution, adopted by the Holyoke City Council on June 20, 2023, referenced opposition to an "onslaught of dangerous anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation" in other states targeting transgender children and their parents and interfering with their access to health care.[20]

On October 10, 2025, Puello-Mota attempted to vote in a Holyoke city election while in Russia. His ballot was set for legal review and later denied after the city clerk determined that he did not qualify, as he failed to properly indicate he was living overseas, provide an address outside the country, or specify a preferred ballot delivery method.[21][22]

Military career

United States Air Force

When Puello-Mota was 17, he joined the United States Air Force, requiring a parental consent waiver, and served for six years. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2015 with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing to support operations against the Taliban. While serving in Afghanistan at age 19, as the youngest airman present, he participated in the traditional Air Force birthday cake-cutting ceremony on September 18, 2015, at Bagram Airfield alongside the oldest serving airman, Brig. Gen. David Julazadeh (455th AEW commander), and Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs (455th AEW command chief).[23][24]

Puello-Mota (youngest airman) participating in the Air Force birthday cake-cutting ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, September 18, 2015

During the deployment, Puello-Mota served as a member of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Fly Away Security Team (FAST). The FAST Airmen flew missions on C-130J Super Hercules aircraft across Afghanistan, providing security for the aircraft, crew, passengers, and cargo at locations with limited or no airfield security, remaining vigilant against hostile threats while on the ground and in flight.[25] He worked alongside Senior Airman Nathan Sartain of the 66th Security Forces Squadron. On October 2, 2015, Sartain and Airman 1st Class Kcey Ruiz were among six Airmen killed when their C-130J Super Hercules crashed shortly after takeoff from Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan.[26]

Later in 2018, Puello-Mota spoke in support of renaming two gates at Hanscom Air Force Base in honor of his fallen comrades. At the October 2, 2018 ceremony, he stated of Sartain, “He wasn’t just phenomenal on the job, but off the job, too. He was a fantastic human being.” The Hartwell Gate was renamed the Senior Airman Kcey Ruiz Gate and the Vandenberg Gate was renamed the Senior Airman Nathan Sartain Gate.[27] Puello-Mota departed Hanscom in 2019. During his time with the 66th Security Forces Squadron, the unit was named the Air Force's Outstanding Security Forces Unit (Small Category) for the fourth consecutive year in 2019.[28]

During his time at Hanscom Air Force Base, Puello-Mota earned a degree in Criminal Justice through the Community College of the Air Force, part of Air University.[29]

Puello-Mota receiving his Community College of the Air Force degree at Hanscom Air Force Base in 2018

Puello-Mota joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard in June 2019 as a member of the 104th Fighter Wing's Security Forces Squadron, rising to the rank of technical sergeant. As a member of the unit, he contributed to its success as the 104th Security Forces Squadron was named the Air National Guard's Security Forces Squadron of the Year for 2020. The unit supported multiple domestic operations across Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., while continuing to provide security for Barnes Air National Guard Base.[30] In total, Puello-Mota served nearly ten years in the U.S. military (active duty Air Force and Massachusetts Air National Guard) before his service was terminated in October 2022.[31][32]

Service in Russia

On January 7, 2024, Puello-Mota left the United States by going to Dulles International Airport bound for Istanbul, Turkey, to enter Russia.[33] In April 2024, videos were shown from pro-Kremlin news sources on Telegram showing Puello-Mota enlisting for the Russian army at an enlistment center in Khanty-Mansiysk of western Siberia with the caption "An American signed a military contract at the patriots centre in Khanty-Mansiysk".[34][35]

Prior to the formal enlistment, he fought with the Pyatnashka Brigade during the Battle of Avdiivka. According to Russian state media (Lenta.ru, March 4, 2024), while serving as a drone operator with the callsign "Vil" (or "Boston"), Puello-Mota destroyed several targets including two Ukrainian Starlink terminals.[36]

Puello placing the U.S. flag in a building after the Battle of Avdiivka while serving with the Pyatnashka Brigade (Russia)

In a separate video from the battles there, he was shown planting a U.S. flag in the ruins of Avdiivka as a symbolic gesture of support.[37][38]

In another video released in August 2024, Puello-Mota denounced United States support for Ukraine and actions against Russia while stating that he does not believe he's a "traitor" to the United States.[39][40][41]

Aftermath

The criminal case against Puello-Mota was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan of the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office.

Flanagan was arrested on August 14, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island, on a misdemeanor charge of willful trespass outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant. Police had responded to a report of patrons refusing to leave the premises. Body camera footage of the incident, which went viral, showed Flanagan repeatedly identifying herself as an "AG," requesting that officers turn off their cameras, and stating to one officer, "You're gonna regret this," as she was detained.[42][43]

Reports indicated alcohol was involved in the encounter. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha placed Flanagan on six months of unpaid leave. He stated that Flanagan had "mistreated the Newport Police Department" and "treated the Newport Police Department horribly," adding that she had embarrassed herself, the office, and him personally. Neronha described her conduct as inexcusable and below the standards expected of attorneys in the office. She later pleaded no contest to the trespassing charge (with the case filed for potential dismissal after six months, subject to conditions such as staying away from the restaurant). Flanagan was reinstated to her approximately $113,000-a-year role in a reassigned unit following the suspension.[44][45]

References

  1. ↑ LeBlanc, Steve; Perry, Nick (April 11, 2024). "Former Mass. city councilor accused of having explicit images of a child apparently joined Russian army". WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Majority of Holyoke City Council seats turn over in Tuesday's election". Daily Hampshire Gazette. November 3, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Holyoke at-large council race draws mix of hopefuls". Daily Hampshire Gazette. November 1, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "Holyoke council passes mayor's $154M budget largely untouched". Daily Hampshire Gazette. June 15, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Holyoke City Council passes fiscal year 2024 budget". The Reminder. July 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Holyoke mayor allots $19M in ARPA funding; Victory Theater gets $2M boost". MassLive. June 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Item 16 - June 20, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke. August 2023.
  8. 1 2 "November 15, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke.
  9. ↑ "Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota sues to retain seat after expulsion over child porn charges". MassLive. September 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota returns to duties after judge issues injunction". MassLive. October 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Holyoke city council discusses legality of councilors serving with convictions". The Reminder. October 25, 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "October 18, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke.
  13. ↑ "Holyoke City Council approves $50k federal grant for gunfire detection technology". MassLive. October 5, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "April 5, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke.
  15. ↑ "Hampden Superior Court denies effort to get real estate tax question back on Holyoke ballot". MassLive. September 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Judge denies suit on Holyoke CPA ballot question veto". The Reminder. October 24, 2023.
  17. ↑ "With the snip of a scissor, community celebrates opening of Peck Middle School". Holyoke Public Schools. September 2024.
  18. ↑ June 6, 2023 City Council meeting orders
  19. 1 2 "October 17, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke.
  20. ↑ "Item 16 - June 20, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Holyoke. August 2023.
  21. ↑ "Holyoke clerk denies vote to fugitive ex-councilor". WWLP. October 21, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Holyoke releases details on Wilmer Puello-Mota's rejected absentee ballot". Western Mass News. October 25, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Vulture Airmen celebrate Air Force birthday with 'block party'". Air Forces Central. September 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Senior Air Force leaders and personnel from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing cut a cake". Alamy. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  25. ↑ "FAST Airmen: keeping passengers, assets safe". Air Forces Central. September 2, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Airmen in C-130 crash identified, memorialized". Air Force. October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Hanscom gates renamed for fallen Airmen". Hanscom Air Force Base. October 3, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Hanscom SFS named best in AF". Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. April 27, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Airmen receive CCAF degrees". Hanscom Air Force Base. October 26, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  30. ↑ "104th Security Forces Squadron named unit of the year 2020". DVIDS. June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  31. ↑ LeBlanc, Steve; Perry, Nick (April 11, 2024). "Former Mass. city councilor accused of having explicit images of a child apparently joined Russian army". WBUR-FM.
  32. ↑ Sampson, Eve (August 21, 2024). "Ex-U.S. Airman Charged With Child Pornography Appears in Russian Propaganda Video". The New York Times.
  33. ↑ Sauer, Pjotr (April 5, 2024). "Fugitive former US city councillor enlists with Russia for war in Ukraine". The Guardian.
  34. ↑ Sauer, Pjotr (April 5, 2024). "Fugitive former US city councillor enlists with Russia for war in Ukraine". The Guardian.
  35. ↑ LeBlanc, Steve; Perry, Nick (April 11, 2024). "Former Mass. city councilor accused of having explicit images of a child apparently joined Russian army". WBUR-FM.
  36. ↑ "Доброволец из США уничтожил два Starlink". Lenta.ru (in Russian). March 4, 2024. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  37. ↑ Sauer, Pjotr (April 5, 2024). "Fugitive former US city councillor enlists with Russia for war in Ukraine". The Guardian.
  38. ↑ Talmazan, Yuliya; Gains, Mosheh; Siemaszko, Corky (August 19, 2024). "U.S. vet wanted on child porn charge appears to be fighting for Russia against Ukraine". NBC News.
  39. ↑ Sampson, Eve (August 21, 2024). "Ex-U.S. Airman Charged With Child Pornography Appears in Russian Propaganda Video". The New York Times.
  40. ↑ Talmazan, Yuliya; Gains, Mosheh; Siemaszko, Corky (August 19, 2024). "U.S. vet wanted on child porn charge appears to be fighting for Russia against Ukraine". NBC News.
  41. ↑ Merzbach, Scott (August 19, 2024). "Ex-Holyoke councilor Puello-Mota now stars in Russian Army propaganda video". Daily Hampshire Gazette.
  42. ↑ "Prosecutor arrested for trespassing tells cop on body cam: 'You're gonna regret this'". ABC News. August 19, 2025.
  43. ↑ "RI prosecutor Devon Flanagan Hogan pleads no contest to trespassing". Boston Globe. August 27, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Devon Flanagan, RI state prosecutor in viral Newport arrest, pleads no contest". The Providence Journal. August 27, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Assistant AG suspended without pay for six months". August 2025.

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