Pentagon Document Leaker Jack Teixeira Sentenced to 15 Years
Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 15 years on Tuesday for violating the Espionage Act by leaking hundreds of classified documents on social media, a breach officials described as "breathtaking" and "immeasurable." This security lapse led to disciplinary action for 15 service members.
Teixeira, 22, pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willful retention of defense records after sharing classified information on the platform Discord. His leaks revealed sensitive intelligence on topics such as Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear developments.
"The scope of his betrayal is breathtaking," Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said, adding that the damage is "immeasurable."
Prosecutors Label Incident a Major Espionage Act Violation
Prosecutors sought a 17-year sentence, while Teixeira’s defense argued for no less than 11 years. The leaks, prosecutors argued, inflicted "grave damage" on U.S. security and were aimed at boosting Teixeira’s ego.
"This is one of the most significant violations of the Espionage Act in American history," they stated.
Defense Portrays Teixeira as a Socially Isolated Young Man
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Defense attorneys Brendan Kelley and Michael Bachrach described Teixeira as autistic and socially isolated, saying he shared the information to educate his friends on global events rather than to harm the U.S.
Lapses in Oversight Exposed
The case highlighted a shocking security lapse. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen stated that Teixeira ignored warnings and shared some of the nation’s most sensitive information, leading to "profound harms to national security."
An inspector general's report revealed a "lack of adequate supervision" and a "culture of complacency" within the Air Force. Teixeira reportedly began sharing classified documents in early 2022 but wasn’t reported to security officials until January 2023, even after being warned about handling sensitive materials.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall emphasized the duty of all military personnel to safeguard classified information, stressing the importance of accountability for security breaches.
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