The U.S. Department of Justice has convicted four individuals, including a leader from the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP), for conspiring as unregistered Russian agents. From 2015 to 2022, these U.S. citizens collaborated with Moscow-based operative Aleksandr Ionov in activities aimed at destabilizing U.S. politics.
Directed by Ionov, Omali Yeshitela, 82, Penny Hess, 78, Jesse Nevel, 34, all from St. Louis, and Augustus C. Romain Jr., 38, from Atlanta, drafted a U.N. petition in 2015 accusing the U.S. of genocide against African Americans. Despite initial resistance, this petition was completed and circulated within Russian media.
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In 2016, Ionov financed a tour to further advocate for the petition, with detailed reports sent back to him, underscoring the defendants’ direct involvement with Russian interests.
Over the years, Ionov also tried to influence local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, by providing campaign finance and strategic advice to influence the outcomes, although evidence of his success is unclear.
In response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the defendants organized protests at U.S. social media companies to counteract perceived anti-Russian sentiments, as directed by Ionov. These actions were part of broader efforts to manipulate public opinion in favor of Russia.
Each defendant now faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing pending.
