Global Courant
Jack Teixeira, the member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard accused of leaking classified documents online, has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
According to the Justice Department, he faces six counts of deliberate detention and transmission of classified information related to national defense.
Teixeira, 21, is accused of misusing his security clearance to take classified documents and post them on social media sites, the Justice Ministry said.
“The unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified information jeopardizes the security of our country. Individuals who gain access to classified material have a fundamental duty to protect the information for the safety of the United States, our active duty members, their citizens and their allies,” Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that those entrusted with sensitive national security information comply with the law.”
Each of the charges carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if convicted.
This photo illustration, taken on April 13, 2023, shows National Guard Jack Teixeira reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard on Sept. 26, 2019, according to his service record, and has had a Top Secret security clearance since 2021, according to the DOJ. According to the Justice Department, he began posting classified documents online in January 2022.
In April, the FBI interviewed a member of a social media chat room where Teixeira allegedly posted classified documents. The member reportedly told the FBI that the individual began posting “what appeared to be classified information” around December and described the poster as someone named Jack who appeared to live in Massachusetts and “claimed to be with the United States Air National Guard.” United States”. the original criminal charge.
“As set forth in the indictment, Jack Teixeira was entrusted by the United States government to access classified national defense information — including information that could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally serious harm to national security if shared said Attorney General Merrick Garland. in a statement. “Teixeira is accused of sharing information with users on a social media platform that he knew they had no right to receive, in violation of U.S. law and endangering our national security.”
Last month, Teixeira was ordered to remain in custody during a hearing in which prosecutors alleged he posed a flight risk, even comparing him to notorious leaker Edward Snowden.
“I am going to grant the government’s request for detention on any grounds,” Judge David Hennessy told the court. “What the record shows right now is a deep break.”
The defense argued that Teixeira cooperated with the investigation, did not intend the classified information to be widely disseminated and was willing to stay with his parents, who promised to report him if he violated bail conditions.
