A jury has convicted Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess, Jesse Nevel, and Augustus C. Romain Jr. of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government, following an investigation into their collaboration with Russian operatives.
According to the evidence presented in court, the defendants had worked from 2015 to 2022 to further Russian government interests within the United States. The group’s actions were coordinated through Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, the founder of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, who was working under the direction of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
Ionov’s involvement included inviting Yeshitela to Russia and coordinating efforts to publish propaganda that painted the U.S. as committing genocide against African people. The defendants also organized tours to promote these narratives and attempted to influence local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Ionov’s backing. The conspiracy escalated after Russia invaded Ukraine when Ionov directed demonstrations in support of Russia’s war efforts and against U.S. actions.
Throughout this period, the defendants maintained close communication with Ionov and his Russian handlers, even participating in Russian-backed conferences and protests. Romain’s group, Black Hammer, was also involved in these actions, including organizing demonstrations supporting Russia’s propaganda.
All four defendants now face a maximum penalty of five years in prison, with sentencing to be determined at a later date. The FBI led the investigation, with national security officials highlighting the significance of the case in combating foreign influence in U.S. affairs.
