Wondering who is Marc Fogel? His name has resurfaced in headlines following his return to the United States after years of imprisonment in Russia. The American teacher was detained on drug charges, sparking international concern over U.S.-Russia relations. His release, secured through a diplomatic exchange, has raised questions about the details of his case and the broader implications of such negotiations.
Let’s take a closer look at who he is, what led to his imprisonment, and how he finally made it home.
Who is Marc Fogel?
Russian authorities arrested the American school teacher, Marc Fogel, in August 2021 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport for carrying 17 grams of medical marijuana, which he claimed was prescribed for chronic back pain.
In June 2022, a Russian court convicted him of drug trafficking and sentenced him to 14 years in a penal colony. His case gained attention when U.S.-Russia prisoner exchanges repeatedly excluded him.
On February 11, 2025, the United States secured Marc Fogel’s release in a negotiated exchange with Russia (via CNN.) The White House did not disclose the details of the exchange, but, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia also regained a citizen previously imprisoned in the U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler accompanied Fogel on his return flight.
After landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, officials transported him to the White House, where President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson greeted him.
Fogel’s family had long advocated for his release and had urged the U.S. government to designate him as wrongfully detained. In December 2024, the State Department officially made that designation, following years of bipartisan calls for action. His exclusion from previous prisoner swaps had led to criticism from lawmakers and his legal team.
President Donald Trump described the exchange as “very fair, very reasonable” but did not provide further details (via BBC). He also indicated that another American detainee would be released the following day. Fogel’s family expressed gratitude for his return, while Pennsylvania lawmakers welcomed his release. The diplomatic exchange occurred amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with discussions continuing regarding further negotiations.
