HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The city of Holyoke has investigated and decided that Wilmer Puello-Mota, the 28-year old former city councilor who is being pursued for child pornography charges in Rhode Island and fled the country, is not qualified to vote in the upcoming election.

The announcement comes after Puello-Mota submitted an absentee voter application for the upcoming election with intent to vote abroad.

In January 2024, he was set to stand trial in Rhode Island for child pornography and fugitive from justice charges, but it was determined he fled to Turkey, violating his court orders. A few months later, unconfirmed photos and videos from a Russian media outlet surfaced online, which appeared to show him joining the Russian military in their war against Ukraine.

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