- US Marine veteran Trevor Reed was released from Russia after nearly three years of captivity.
- Reed described the horrific conditions of his Russian prison during an interview with CNN.
- His family had "heard nothing" from the Marine Corps in response to his arrest, his father said.
The father of a US Marine veteran released from a Russian prison last month said his family felt "let down" by the Marine Corps because neither the branch nor any marine groups lobbied lawmakers to free the man.
Trevor Reed, who was detained in Moscow in 2019, said he was wrongly convicted of drunkenly attacking Russian police officers during a leisure trip.
He spent nearly three years incarcerated in Russia, and described horrific conditions and treatment there in an interview with CNN.
His father, Joey Reed, told CNN that while some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worked to secure his son's freedom via a prisoner exchange with Russia, others had brushed his case aside.
Some ignored Reed's incarceration because his family wasn't from their district, he said, per the outlet.
Joey Reed told CNN that his family had "heard nothing from the Marine Corps" or Marine groups in response to the Marine veteran's arrest in Russia.
"We felt pretty let down by the Marine Corps," he said, per CNN. "There's millions of former Marines. Think of the voting power that you would have. Think of the voice you would have. And you can't use any of that for another Marine?"
Maj. Jim Stenger, a Marine Corps spokesperson, told the outlet: "Trevor Reed served his country honorably as a Marine and we thank him for his service. We are happy he has returned home safely and wish him and his family the best as they reunite."
The US Marine Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.
Trevor Reed returned to the US on April 27, as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia that took place in Turkey. His family continues to back efforts to free Paul Whelan, another Marine veteran held captive in Russia.
To date, WNBA star Brittney Griner also remains detained in Russia. She was arrested after customs agents in Moscow's airport said they found cannabis oil in her luggage.