A Brooklyn woman, suspected of acting as a Russian mole, has pleaded guilty to lying to federal authorities in connection with her attempts to infiltrate U.S. political and media circles. The case of 35-year-old Nomma Zarubina, who was arrested in November 2024, has drawn attention due to her unusual behavior, including sending flirtatious messages to an FBI agent.
Zarubina, who has bleached-blond hair, initially faced charges for allegedly misleading authorities about her interactions with Russian spies. Following her arrest, she was released on bail until it was revealed that she had been sending a series of late-night text messages—some while under the influence of alcohol—to the very agent who was investigating her. One notable text at 4:17 a.m. read, “Catch me, baby,” reflecting her unrequited affection towards the G-man.
Despite warnings from the court to cease contacting the agent, Zarubina continued to send numerous messages, proclaiming her love for him and even expressing frustration over the perceived lack of attention, referencing fellow Russian agent Maria Butina who had previously been imprisoned for her activities in the U.S.
Court documents indicate that Zarubina had been involved with Kremlin operatives since December 2020, under the alias “Alyssa.” Her assignments included networking with think tanks, military personnel, and journalists to facilitate connections to further Russian interests. Reports also reveal that she had once persuaded several political figures to take photographs with her, raising red flags about her activities.
The FBI had initially approached Zarubina in October 2020 regarding her associate, Elena Branson, who was indicted for distributing foreign influence. However, rather than confirming her innocence, Zarubina later confessed to working closely with Russian operatives, claiming that her feelings for the FBI agent led to her admissions.
Her behavior spiraled, culminating in a court ruling that found she had violated her bail conditions by continuing to drink alcohol and harass the agent, who reported her texts to authorities, leading to her return to custody.
Adding to her legal troubles, Zarubina faces separate accusations of being involved in a scheme related to prostitution in New Jersey. On Thursday, she pleaded guilty to making false statements both to the FBI regarding her connections with Russian agents and on a naturalization application where she denied any prostitution involvement. She could face up to a decade in prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 11. Due to her conviction, deportation is also a likely outcome.
This case not only highlights the complexities of espionage but also shines a light on the personal struggles that can intertwine with legal issues, as Zarubina expressed feelings of emotional control in her life stemming from her relationship with the FBI agent. As the legal proceedings move forward, it presents a cautionary tale about the intersections of personal life and national security.