Wanted American 'pedophile' becomes Russian propaganda star as Kremlin produces videos showing ex-National Guardsman boasting about fighting in Ukraine

A former Massachusetts city councilor who fled the country to evade child pornography charges is suspected of appearing in Russian propaganda, according to reports. 

Wilmer Puello-Mota, 27, a former Massachusetts National Guardsman, appears to have been spotted in Russian propaganda videos supporting the war in Ukraine on Telegram and Russian media outlets, the Daily Beast reported. 

In a video posted online earlier this week the man, identified as only 'Wil' and described as a 'former American soldier', approaches a Russian military recruitment office and delivers a speech about his pride in joining Russia's 'special military operation' and helping Russia to 'continue the mission.'

Independent Russian media outlet Agentstvo has also identified 'Wil' as Puello-Mota. 

In his monologue Wil tells the camera he has fought alongside Russian troops in Avdiivka but is now formally joining their ranks. 

Wilmer Puello-Mota, 27, a former Massachusetts National Guardsman, appears to have been spotted in Russian propaganda videos

Those who know Puello-Mota identified him in another video shot in Ukraine last month 

'It's terrible, it's sad what's happened there. You know, it's a very bad situation, and I'm glad that we can help in the way that we're helping,' he explains. 

The video suggests he has signed a formal contract with Russia's Defense Ministry in Khanty-Mansiysk in western Siberia.

He was reportedly given 745,000 rubles ($8,060) as an initial, one-time payment and is set to collect another 150,000 rubles ($1,621) for every two months of service, the video suggests. 

'They all are aware. They know who he is' a Russian government insider told the Beast about the government's understanding of Puello-Mota's background. 

It comes just weeks after Rhode Island's attorney general claimed Puello-Mota is evading charges of child pornography, obstructing justice, forgery and counterfeiting, according to the Beast. 

The former councilor was arrested in September 2020 after a seventeen-year-old girl alleged that he sent her money for sexually explicit images knowing she was underage, according to court records. 

Puello-Mota was released on a $20,000 bail but failed to turn up to a scheduled court appearance in January.  

Reports began to circulate that Puello-Mota had absconded to Russia but the authorities were not able to determine whether it was an 'elaborate ruse to conceal his whereabouts' according to the Rhode Island Attorney General's office.  

Last month The Republican reported that another video shot in Ukraine was identified by those who know him as Puello-Mota. DailyMail.com has not independently verified these claims. 

In the video the man is seen erecting a US flag in in Avdiivka after Russian troops invaded, declaring 'We're here to plant the U.S. flag as a sign of friendship and support.'