Russian National Nomma Zarubina Pleads Guilty to Lying to FBI and Naturalization Fraud

Guilty Plea Entered in New York Court

Nomma Zarubina, a 35-year-old Russian citizen, has pleaded guilty in a New York court to charges of making false statements to the FBI regarding her connections with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and to naturalization fraud. The plea was entered on February 19, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain. Zarubina now awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for June 11, 2026. She faces a maximum of five years in prison for each count.

Allegations of Espionage and Deception

According to U.S. prosecutors, Zarubina, who was known by the codename 'Alyssa' to her Russian handlers, was allegedly tasked with cultivating relationships with prominent Americans to draw them into Moscow's intelligence orbit. She reportedly attended various seminars, forums, and conventions, engaging with members of academia, foreign policy, the U.S. government, and the media to identify potential contacts for the FSB. Investigations suggest that Zarubina was recruited by the FSB no later than 2020 and received direct instructions, including entering into romantic relationships with Russian opposition figures.

Zarubina's deception extended to her naturalization application, where she lied about her involvement in a prostitution network operating between New York and New Jersey. While prosecutors initially brought charges related to transporting women for prostitution, these were dropped as part of her plea agreement for making false statements and naturalization fraud.

Obstruction of Justice and Bail Revocation

Zarubina was initially arrested in December 2024. During the course of the investigation, her bail was revoked in December 2025 after she repeatedly sent harassing messages to an FBI agent involved in her case, even after being admonished by the court. These messages reportedly included phrases such as 'catch me baby' and 'I love you'.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, 'While Nomma Zarubina was trying to cultivate relationships with American law enforcement, civil society organizations, and others, she was lying to the FBI about her ties to the Russian Federation.' James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York office, added that Zarubina's 'intentional concealment of her misconduct and her lies about her affiliation with Russian intelligence were an affront to law enforcement's national security efforts.'

Upcoming Sentencing

Zarubina's sentencing on June 11, 2026, will determine the length of her imprisonment, which could be up to five years for each of the two counts to which she pleaded guilty. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding foreign intelligence activities within the United States.