Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira has admitted to causing a significant leak of national defense secrets and has agreed to a 16-year prison sentence, potentially the longest in an unlawful retention case. The 22-year-old Teixeira pleaded guilty to all six charges of willful retention and transmission of national defense information, avoiding additional charges under the Espionage Act.
Prosecutors revealed that Teixeira accessed and printed hundreds of classified documents, posting images of them on Discord before his arrest last April. He appeared in court in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit, smiling at his father before admitting guilt to Judge Indira Talwani.
As part of his plea agreement, Teixeira must undergo a debriefing with the Defense Department and the Justice Department and return any sensitive materials still in his possession. His sentencing is scheduled for September 27.
Teixeira, who remains on active duty in the Air Force, faces potential military charges once the civilian case concludes. Despite his low-level job in troubleshooting computer workstations, he accessed and removed classified documents from his workplace, posting them on Discord under an alias.
The leaked information included details about a foreign adversary compromising U.S. companies, troop movements in Ukraine, and attacks on U.S. forces abroad. Teixeira knowingly posted marked classified material and bragged about his activities on Discord.
Teixeira’s actions also led to disciplinary action against 15 airmen who failed to prevent his unauthorized disclosures. The Teixeira family expressed concern over the culture at the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, where such security breaches occurred.
The family’s statement emphasized their focus on Jack’s well-being and privacy, describing him as a beloved relative and a good person. The case underscores the importance of safeguarding national defense information and implementing necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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