In a criminal case prosecutors called “one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history,” a Boston judge sentenced Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira to 15 years in prison. This comes after he pleaded guilty to leaking top secret military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The 22-year-old Teixeira issued an apology before the sentencing, and claimed responsibility, telling the judge, “I’m at your mercy,” according to Boston journalist Bob Ward on the platform X.
Teixeira pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. He admitted to illegally collecting and sharing classified military files with users on the social media platform Discord.
Teixeira’s attorneys argued he wasn’t trying to harm the U.S. but instead attempting to educate his friends about what he saw as “his generation’s World War II or Iraq.” They also described him as an autistic and isolated person spending most of his time online.
Prosecutors contended Teixeira still knew right from wrong, pointing to evidence Teixeira tried to cover up the crime by smashing his tablet, laptop and Xbox in a dumpster at his house.
The security breach exposed U.S. military secrets on Russia’s war in Ukraine, including troop movements and Ukrainian troops’ weapons supplies.
Teixeira worked as a cyber transport systems support specialist and reportedly remains with the U.S. Air National Guard on an unpaid status, according to a U.S. Air Force official.
In the aftermath of Teixeira’s leak, the Pentagon has tightened controls on top secret information. The Biden administration was also left rushing to repair any damage to U.S diplomatic relationships and the military’s image.
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