Who Is Michael Travis Leake? U.S. Musician Arrested in Moscow

An American citizen, described as both a musician and an ex-paratrooper, has been arrested in Moscow, according to Russian courts in the capital.

The U.S. citizen, identified as Michael Travis Leake, was arrested on drug charges on Saturday, according to a statement published by Moscow's general jurisdiction courts. He is suspected of selling a drug named mephedrone, causing effects similar to cocaine or MDMA, The Associated Press reported.

"On June 10, 2023, Moscow's Khamovniki District Court took a measure of restraint against a U.S. citizen," Moscow's general jurisdiction courts said on Telegram.

The statement described Leake as a "former paratrooper and a musician, who is accused of running a drug-dealing business involving young people." He will remain in custody for almost two months, until August 6, 2023, the statement continued.