Jimmy Is Alive!
October 2, 2025 - From Jimmy’s parents: On June 5, 2025, Jimmy was transferred out of Mordovia IK-17. The night before, June 4, he was able to call us to let us know he’s being transferred to a different prison because IK-17 was closing for lack of prisoners. Most of the inmates were recruited by the Federation to fight in Ukraine. Prisoners were offered extravagant bonuses if they volunteered, and the promise of freedom when the war was over. That bonus kept increasing as inmates rejected the offer. Eventually the offer was attractive enough that more than 80% of the prisoners left. Mostly Russians, but prisoners from every country except the U.S. volunteered. Jimmy and fellow American, Thomas Stwalley were hidden from the recruiters but were tempted since the State Dep’t was ignoring them. Many inmates were Cubans who were enticed to go to Russia for high paying jobs. They didn’t acclimate to Russian culture and were arrested by the scores. News was coming back from families that their sons did not survive to cash in. Prisoners were considered “cannon fodder”.
We found out through a Russian family who contacted Jimmy’s wife that he was sent to IK-7 in Mordovia. We asked the U.S. Embassy to visit Jimmy to find out how he is and why he cannot call home. They finally visited on August 20 and reported that Jimmy and Tom were ‘okay’. They would be given phone privileges after submitting a written request in Russian. Thomas knows the language, so he submitted letters on behalf of himself and Jimmy when they first arrived in June. The prison administration just ignored their request.
Sometime after the Embassy left, Jimmy and Tom were moved. Once again in Mordovia, but to IK-18 for the same reason. Inmate population had severely decreased at IK-7. After the Embassy’s visit there was no communication with either Jimmy or Tom. We asked the Embassy and the U.S. State Department to find Jimmy. Their comment was that they are required to write a diplomatic letter to Moscow. They did and to this day they never got an answer
Jimmy’s wife called IK-7 inquiring about her husband and was told he was transferred out of IK-7. They would not tell her where Jimmy was. She was told to write letters for information. She never got an answer.
Finally, on October 1, Tom called Jimmy’s wife in Moscow and briefly told her they are alive, and they are at Klekotki IK-5 in the Ryazan District of Russia. She sent an email to us advising us about this good news, but that was all she knew. She immediately called the prison for an appointment to visit Jimmy which was granted for 8 AM the next morning. She went early Thursday morning, October 2, 2025. It was about a 3-hour drive, she arrived at 8AM and had to wait until 2 PM to see Jimmy. She said he lost a lot of weight and didn’t look healthy. She was told to leave after about an hour.
On the evening of October 2, Jimmy finally called us. He sounded good, would not waste the phone call complaining, but told us about his wife’s visit and briefly what transpired since June 4, the last time we spoke. About 15 minutes into the call, we were disconnected in the middle of a sentence. That was disappointing but we remember that the phones automatically shut off after 15 minutes. We expect Jimmy will call tomorrow to continue our discussion. Here it is noon and no call. Maybe tomorrow. Related: Statements October 3, 2025.
US Embassy - Moscow Finally Speaks with Jimmy
July 30, 2025 - A message from the US Embassy. Our phone call was delayed by one day due to administrative issues at the prison; however, I spoke with Jimmy and Tom this morning. Our discussion was brief, and they both mentioned that a guard was listening to the conversation. Of course, we knew the call would be monitored, so that was not a surprise.
Jimmy said to send his love. He confirmed that the prison is closing and that he would like us to request that he and Tom be transferred to Moscow. I told him that we would do so, but I could not guarantee that the request would be approved. He said he understood. I asked about his health, and he said that he has been suffering from back pain. He planned to visit the nurse in the afternoon, but he stated that he didn't want to go to a hospital colony and asked that we not submit a request for medical care on his behalf. He inquired about the other times they had been summoned to the office to receive phone calls from the Embassy, and I explained that our office had not been informed of permission to call and had not received instructions to contact them.
Tom listened to Jimmy's part of the conversation and said that he had heard everything. I asked about his health, and he mentioned needing dental work, a prostate check, and a cancer screening. However, he also stated that it would be possible to get those procedures done properly at the prison and said that there was no point in requesting them. Mr. Wilgus, he also asked you to tell his family hello for him. He closed out the conversation by stating that he and Jimmy had been treated courteously and that he appreciated the staff who had done so. (I assume this was for the benefit of the Russian guard listening.)
We have our request in to visit them both on August 19. We will submit a request for their transfer to Moscow and hope it is approved.
Americans Jimmy and Tom Stwalley Will be Moved to Siberia When IK-7 Closes by End of 2025.
July 27, 2025. Russia is gradually closing penal colonies and prisons because most prisoners, both Russian and foreigners, have “volunteered” to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War. Penal Colony IK-17 closed so Jimmy and Thomas Stwalley, the other American, were transferred to Penal Colony IK-7 in early June 2025. No one has heard from Jimmy since June 4, 2025. Since the Embassy has not been able to contact Jimmy, we asked Jimmy’s wife to call the attorney in Mordovia, Andrei Vikanov, to ask him to visit Jimmy and assess his situation. He was able to visit on July 24 and Jimmy gave him a message for us. Here is that message:
In addition to Jimmy’s comments, the attorney offered his personal observations:
Jimmy has lost a lot of weight since I saw him last year.
There's no technical reason why Jimmy cannot be allowed to make phone calls. He asked me not to question the prison officials because any questioning will come back to hurt Jimmy directly.
Jimmy asks me to write a petition for parole, knowing that it is useless, but still wants formal refusal. I tried to dissuade him, but to no avail.
He asks you to act as a resident trustee for Thomas and pay for my services in his defense. He has provided me with a cassation complaint and Thomas's verdict, which I can send to you if you wish. I can't send it on my own behalf because I'm not providing legal assistance to Thomas.
Jimmy says that some of the staff in IК 7 are good people. Most hate Americans. He says that there is a prisoner in IК 7 who constantly verbally abuses American prisoners.
The food in the colony consists of potatoes, pasta, and cabbage. Jimmy's waiting for a package from his wife in August.
That’s the latest from Jimmy. If anybody has any ideas on how to get them out of this decaying quagmire, please just do it or tell Bella and me what we need to do. Time is running out. Thank you for your continued loyalty and God Bless You.
“This message is for my wife, my parents, the US Embassy, and anyone who can help.
After we arrived here at Colony #7, our bags were illegally searched as we were not present during the search. They stole winter clothing, shower equipment, shoes, a water filter, and several other items that we have a legal right to possess. We will have to replace these things at our own expense.
Colony #7 is approximately 10 times the size of colony #17 and the walk to the factory every morning is probably 1 kilometer over rocky, muddy ground. It is filled with condemned buildings and rats.
Upon arrival, I filled out the necessary paperwork to have my phone activated, and as of today, July 24th, the administration has refused to turn on the phone for almost two months. I haven’t spoken to my wife, my parents, or the US Embassy since being here.
Almost one year after the release of Evan Gershowitz and Paul Whelan, Tommy and I are being treated as hostages more than ever before. We have no rights. Today, July 24th, I am being visited by a local lawyer. He was hired by my wife as it is forbidden now for lawyers to have contact with the continental US. That’s what he told me. So I’m sitting here writing this letter so my lawyer can send it to Elena who will send it to my parents.
Here's a bomb. On July 1st, the administration of this colony gathered us into the TV room of my barrack and made an announcement. This colony is scheduled to be closed between October and November, three months from now. All prisoners, Russian, Cuban and American, yes, he specified Americans, will be sent out to the cold, brutal Siberian colonies of Omsk and Krasnoyarsk. The temperature in the winter is in the negative 40’s Fahrenheit. Without help from our government, the only way we can avoid this is to sign up to go to Colony 19 here in Mordovia. This is the only men's colony still open in this entire region. To the best of my knowledge, on 2 occasions, recruiters from Colony 19 visited here to convince prisoners to sign up to be transferred to Colony 19.
Military recruiters from the government have been here to get prisoners to go to Ukraine. Yes, 5 suckers have signed up to go to Donbas, but as far as I know, no one wants to go to Colony #19. It’s a hospital colony for drug addicts and is known for being a place of punishment, strict regime, and beatings.
I believe I have a legal right to be relocated close to my wife in Moscow. Elena attempted to do this years ago, but her requests were all ignored. If I could speak to my embassy, I would plead with them to help make this happen. I would beg them for Ambassador assistance and maybe Secretary Rubio. With the options facing us this is even more important. One big problem is that Tommy has no family in Moscow. Tommy and I must stay together. He cannot go to Siberia alone. He is in his 60’s and weak. I cannot leave him behind. Please, America, do not let this happen to us. We must both be moved closer to Moscow.
I work in the factory 46 hours a week. There is no pay. There is no medicine in the factory, and it is difficult to find any guards if anything serious occurs. If anyone has a stroke, they will die. I already had one stroke. Another one in this place will be fatal. The nurse's office is an 800-meter walk in which 5 gates need to be unlocked by a guard with a key. Even if we get there the nurse probably won't even be working that day. Our blood pressure has never been checked since we arrived here.
On July 14th, I was instructed not to go to work. Tommy and I waited in the office building for over an hour. We were told the embassy was scheduled to call us. We were threatened not to complain and to keep the call down to about 20 seconds. The call never happened. The administration said the embassy never called and we were sent back. This administration is playing games, and they don’t want us to talk to anybody.
On July 17th, the growing pain in my back became crippling. The medical office is only open during breakfast, so Tommy and I had to skip breakfast to go there and ask for help. I needed Tommy’s help because I had trouble walking. The nurse told us their ludicrous procedure prevented her from looking at me and administering any treatment until after I partake in morning exercise. She told us to go to roll call, then walk all the way to the factory. Once in the factory I must locate a guard and convince him to open the gates and escort me back to the medical office.
I need to stop recording. This meeting with the lawyer is being cut short by a guard.
In May, President Trump and Putin publicly agreed to trade 9 for 9 prisoners. 2 months later, things are only getting worse. Between Trump and Putin, and here in prison. Why is this happening? Thank you, we love you all very much. That’s it.”
Jimmy Wilgus Transferred to Penal Colony IK-7
June 30, 2025. On June 4 Jimmy made a quick call to us to say he was being transferred in the morning to a different labor camp, IK-7. We waited until 3 days with no word from anyone so we contacted the US Embassy in Moscow asking if they knew of his whereabouts. They didn’t even know he was missing. On June 17, they located him and advised us that Jimmy was transferred to IK-7 in Mordovia. We still have not heard from Jimmy. The Embassy said they called the prison and was told Jimmy had to complete forms to use his phone card. The card had plenty of money on it so that was no excuse. As of June 30, 26 days later, Jimmy still has not called. Not even his wife in Moscow has heard from him. We know nothing of his condition after the transfer. The Embassy said they plan to send someone to visit the prison in September. We pray Jimmy will call soon. It seems Jimmy is still the Forgotten American.
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