Gov’t Wants 18-Month Sentence for Russian Agent Maria Butina
Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to give Russian agent Maria Butina 18 months in prison while her lawyers are pushing for a sentence of time-served so she can return to her homeland and “start her life anew.”
In sentencing memos filed Friday night, the government and defense attorneys presented dueling sketches of the gun-slinging, flame-haired Russian who cozied up to powerful American conservatives.
She pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to violate laws prohibiting covert foreign agents and promised to cooperate with American law enforcement. She is scheduled to be sentenced April 26.