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European Union Imposes First-Ever Sanctions on American Fugitive for Disinformation Activities
In an unprecedented move, the European Union has sanctioned John Mark Dougan, an American fugitive residing in Russia, among 12 individuals accused of “information manipulation and interference.” The sanctions, announced on December 15, 2025, mark the first time the EU has targeted a U.S. citizen for such activities.
According to EU officials, Dougan stands accused of “participating in pro-Kremlin digital information operations from Moscow by operating the CopyCop network of fake news websites and supporting Storm-1516 activities.” These sites reportedly “mimic legitimate media outlets and spread fabricated stories and AI-generated deepfake content.”
Dougan’s background adds a layer of intrigue to the case. A former deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida who briefly served in the Marines, he fled the United States in 2016 after being indicted on 21 state charges of extortion and wiretapping. Russia subsequently granted him asylum.
The former law enforcement officer has established himself as a significant figure in disinformation circles. In 2024, media watchdog NewsGuard named him “Disinformer of the Year” for creating what they described as “elaborate fabrications, disguised as credible local news reports and fake whistleblower testimonies.”
The EU sanctions also targeted French ex-military officer Xavier Moreau and Swiss former intelligence agent Jacques Baud. All three men leverage their past careers in law enforcement, military, or intelligence to lend credibility to their activities, according to EU officials.
Under the sanctions, these individuals face asset freezes, bans on receiving funds from European citizens or companies, and travel restrictions to certain European countries. However, Dougan appears undeterred, telling Russian media on December 16 that the sanctions would have “no impact” on his participation in what he described as “the information war.”
On his Telegram channel, Dougan struck a defiant tone, writing: “I’m happy to report that the EU has imposed sanctions against me for destabilizing European governments. The funny thing is, I didn’t have to do anything other than expose the lies and corruption surrounding Ukraine and the West’s involvement.”
The CopyCop network mentioned in the EU sanctions operated through “inauthentic media outlets in the US, UK, and France,” according to research from Insikt Group, a threat research division of a cybersecurity intelligence company. One notable example cited by AFP included AI-generated content targeting French audiences through websites veritecachee.fr and franceencolere.fr.
While Dougan denied involvement with CopyCop to The New York Times ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Insikt researchers reported that the infrastructure supporting these sites had “strong ties” to DC Weekly, a disinformation outlet Dougan was known to manage.
The EU sanctions also linked Dougan to “Storm-1516,” an operation identified by the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center. This campaign gained notoriety during the 2024 U.S. election for spreading disinformation, including a fabricated sexual abuse claim targeting then-vice presidential candidate Tim Walz that gained millions of social media interactions. U.S. intelligence officials attributed this campaign to Russia.
Storm-1516 also pushed a false story alleging that then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a teenager unable to walk. Additionally, AFP debunked several claims about illegal voting and mail ballot destruction that matched Storm-1516’s patterns of disinformation.
Beyond U.S. election interference, the network has disseminated disinformation about Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly targeting President Volodymyr Zelensky with fabricated claims about lavish purchases by him and his wife.
The European Digital Media Observatory has detailed how Storm-1516 works to “discredit Vladimir Putin’s political opponents and try to undermine the electoral process in countries deemed ‘enemies’ by the Kremlin.”
France’s Viginum agency, which counters foreign disinformation campaigns, identified at least 18 cases where Storm-1516 narratives were initially spread through the CopyCop network. The agency also found three narratives amplified on Dougan’s Telegram channel.
However, Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub, told AFP that Dougan’s role in Storm-1516 was “relatively small.” Linvill suggested that it serves Russian interests to have an American’s name associated with the campaign, but added, “there is no evidence I’m aware of that he invented narratives, created narrative content, or worked on distributing the content through Storm-1516 influencer and media network.”
The United Kingdom has also imposed sanctions on organizations and individuals involved in Storm-1516 in December 2025, reflecting growing international concern about foreign information manipulation campaigns.
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10 Comments
Interesting that Dougan was able to flee the US and find refuge in Russia after his legal troubles. His involvement in disinformation networks is quite alarming, as it demonstrates how former officials can leverage their expertise to undermine democratic institutions.
I wonder what this means for Dougan’s future and whether the US will seek to extradite him now that the EU has imposed sanctions. This is a complex geopolitical issue with significant implications.
This is a concerning case of how disinformation can spread globally, even involving former US law enforcement officials. It’s troubling to see the EU take such direct action against an American citizen, but the details suggest Dougan has been deeply involved in pro-Kremlin propaganda efforts.
The sanctions highlight how the EU is taking a firm stance against foreign actors trying to manipulate information and sow discord within its member states. This could set an important precedent.
This is a complex geopolitical issue with many layers. Dougan’s background as a former US law enforcement official adds an intriguing dimension, and his collaboration with Russian actors to spread disinformation is quite alarming. The EU’s sanctions are an important step, but the broader challenge of combating global disinformation campaigns remains formidable.
It will be important to closely monitor how this situation evolves and whether other countries follow suit in taking action against individuals engaged in such destabilizing activities.
The EU’s decision to sanction Dougan is a bold move, but one that seems warranted given the severity of the accusations against him. Spreading disinformation and fabricated content is a serious threat to public discourse and trust in institutions.
This case highlights how porous borders and global information flows can enable bad actors to wreak havoc even when they’ve fled their home countries. Tackling sophisticated disinformation campaigns requires coordinated international efforts.
It will be interesting to see how Dougan and Russia respond to these sanctions. This could escalate diplomatic tensions between the EU and Russia.
While the details are troubling, I’m glad to see the EU taking decisive action against individuals like Dougan who are actively undermining democratic processes through the spread of disinformation. Holding such actors accountable is crucial.