New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey SJR160: James "Jimmy" Wilgus-concerns release from wrongful imprisoment in Russia
Status: In committee, October 5, 2026
Urges US Department of State to take action to secure release of James "Jimmy" Wilgus from wrongful imprisonment in Russia.
What the bill says
A Joint Resolution urging the United States Department of State to take action to secure the release of James Jimmy Wilgus from wrongful imprisonment in Russia.
From the introduced text, October 5, 2026:
A Joint Resolution urging the United States Department of State to take action to secure the release of James Jimmy Wilgus from wrongful imprisonment in Russia. Whereas, James Vincent Wilgus, referred to as Jimmy by his family and friends, is a New Jersey native wrongfully detained by the Russian government; and Whereas, In 2016, Jimmy, a talented musician, composer, and singer who performed across Eastern Europe, was in Russia producing a movie soundtrack for a Russian director; and Whereas, On November 7, 2016, he was ambushed in a Moscow street by four men who forcibly took him to a police station; and Whereas, After being compelled to sign a document, the content of which was in Russian and indecipherable to Jimmy and which he understood was necessary for him to be released, the police took him to a detention center where he stayed for nearly 18 months before any charge was brought against him; and Whereas, Jimmy was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on allegedly false charges based on a forced confession and fabricated evidence following a trial that was closed to all American embassy personnel and others who may have provided aid to Jimmy; and Whereas, Since then, Jimmy has been imprisoned in penal colonies in the Mordovia and Ryazan regions, where he remains to …
Sponsors
- Owen Henry (R, 12) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : INT 1RS REF SSG
Subjects: INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Common questions
- What is SJR160?
- SJR160 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): James "Jimmy" Wilgus-concerns release from wrongful imprisoment in Russia.
- What does SJR160 do?
- In its own words: A Joint Resolution urging the United States Department of State to take action to secure the release of James Jimmy Wilgus from wrongful imprisonment in Russia.
- What is the status of SJR160?
- In committee as of October 5, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RS REF SSG (October 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SJR160?
- Owen Henry (R, 12).
- Where is the official record for SJR160?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/SJR160
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.