[Newsweek] U.S. Border Patrol apprehended a former mercenary on Saturday after he unlawfully crossed the Rio Grande near Roma in Texas.
According to Border Report, Timur Praliev, who previously served with Russia's notorious , crossed the Rio Grande on foot, carrying two passports, $4,000 and a drone.
Newsweek has contacted the for further comment via email outside of normal office hours.
Border security was a core component of President-elect Donald Trump's election campaign.
Trump has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history.
Praliev was a member of the Wagner Group, which has been a critical component in Russia's war against Ukraine, providing weapons and soldiers to the front, many of whom are former convicts pardoned in exchange for fighting in Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury Department classifies the Wagner Group, which was founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, as a criminal organization.
WHAT TO KNOW
When questioned by agents, Praliev claimed to be "a citizen and national of Kazakhstan," according to the criminal complaint filed against him.
Praliev was discovered with a Russian passport, a Kazakh passport, $4,000, and 60,000 pesos.
Border Patrol agents discovered a drone inside his backpack.
It remains unclear at this stage what Praliev specifically did for the Wagner Group or why he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border carrying a drone.
The Congressional Research Service reported that Wagner "has played a key role in Russia's war in Ukraine and operates in multiple countries, particularly across Africa."
Border Patrol charged Praliev with illegally entering the U.S., a federal misdemeanor, to which he pleaded guilty.
Praliev appeared before a judge at the federal courthouse in McAllen, Texas, on Tuesday.
Federal prosecutor McColgan requested a 15-day sentence, expressing concern for community safety upon the defendant's release because of his ties to a group linked to political violence.
U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker questioned whether Praliev's connection to the Wagner Group warranted the length of his sentence for illegally crossing the border. He also stated that, instead of being released, Praliev would remain in federal custody following the completion of his sentence. 
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