A deal he never wanted

After sitting in the room for over an hour, the FBI returned, and this time, with a federal prosecutor and a defense attorney in tow. They made him a deal that he couldn’t refuse: he would be an informant or else he would go to prison. He was now caught between a rock and a hard place. He had to make a decision.

Played for a fool

Popov had no choice but to give in. He was placed in a safe house in Virginia and was constantly monitored by guards. In fact, he was watched all throughout his stay. He then started talking to his connections in Russian chat rooms while the federal agents recorded everything. He cooperated with their demands, or so they thought.