June 5, 2023
Moscow police stop the courier
Police stop a woman carrying drug bundles near Frunzenskaya Embankment. That evening an operative writes the report in which Travis's name first enters the file.
Source: Court file, Vol. 1, l.d. 4-9.
DAY 1,213Michael "Travis" Leake · American citizen · U.S. Air Force veteran
Timeline
Every day since June 6, 2023
The dated record, from the search of his Moscow apartment to IK-6 today. Day numbers count from June 6, 2023, as Travis counts them.
Drawn to scale
June 6, 2023
Day 1Police search his apartment and detain him
The search runs from 7 p.m. to 10:02 p.m. The charging decision records his detention at 7 p.m. Day 1.
Source: Court file, Vol. 1, l.d. 91-96; Vol. 3, l.d. 15.
Finding 07 →June 7, 2023
Day 2A statement with no lawyer present
The lead operative takes a written statement from him through a student interpreter appointed that day. No lawyer is present.
Source: Court file, Vol. 1, l.d. 133-134, 155-160.
Finding 03 →June 8, 2023
Day 3The formal detention record
Dated 2:20 p.m., 43 hours after the recorded detention. He writes on it that he disagrees. His first lawyer is appointed.
Source: Court file, Vol. 1, l.d. 142-143.
Finding 03 →June 9, 2023
Day 4A judge rules the search lawful
The same judge will later try the case.
Source: Court file, Vol. 1, l.d. 109.
Finding 10 →June 10, 2023
Day 5Custody ordered; first U.S. coverage
A Moscow court orders him held. CNN reports the arrest the same day.
Source: Court file [PDF pp. 218-220]; CNN, June 10, 2023.
June 2023
State television calls him a paratrooper
NTV broadcasts the arrest and describes him as a former U.S. military paratrooper. He served in the Air Force in 1989–90 as a heating-and-air-conditioning mechanic and was never a paratrooper.
Source: NTV broadcast, June 2023; NPR, July 21, 2024.
Myth vs. record →September 28, 2023
Day 115He withdraws his statements in writing
He complains that he was forced to plead guilty and deprived of food and sleep. The complaint is sent to the accused officers' own district division.
Source: Court file, Vol. 3, l.d. 38-41, 50-51.
Finding 09 →September 29, 2023
Day 116Independent check refused
His lawyer asks for an independent check, citing photographs of injuries and intake medical records. Refused the same day.
Source: Court file, Vol. 3, l.d. 63-69.
Finding 09 →July 9, 2024
Day 400The defense asks for acquittal
Counsel asks the court to acquit "due to the absence of a crime event."
Source: Defense closing argument, p. 18.
July 18, 2024
Day 409Sentenced to 13 years
The Khamovnichesky District Court sentences him to 13 years in a strict-regime colony. Day 409.
Source: CNN, July 18, 2024.
February 12, 2025
Day 618Renewed request for designation
His advocates ask the State Department to determine that he is wrongfully detained under the Levinson Act. The request is public.
Source: Renewed request for designation, Feb. 12, 2025 (PDF).
April 10, 2025
Day 675Appeal upheld
The Moscow City Court upholds the conviction after hearings on March 27 and April 10.
Source: Moscow City Court, April 10, 2025.
July 2025
Transferred to IK-6
After Butyrka in Moscow, SIZO-2 in Kirov and SIZO-1 in Vladimir, he arrives at IK-6 in Melekhovo, Vladimir Oblast.
Source: Family correspondence.
October 2025
Cassation denied
Only a Supreme Court appeal remains.
Source: Cassation ruling, October 2025.
Summer 2026
He records an appeal to President Trump
From IK-6, a three-minute appeal.
Source: Recording, summer 2026.
Watch the appeal →October 15, 2026
Day 1,228His 55th birthday
His fourth in Russian custody.
Today
1,213
Still held at IK-6
He counts the days in his letters home.