Global Courant
The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking sensitive documents from the Pentagon will face federal court Wednesday.
The trial for Jack Teixeira, set to take place this afternoon in Worcester according to MassLive, comes nearly a week after he was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Teixeira, 21, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, is facing six counts of deliberate detention and passing of national defense information. He was arrested on April 13 on suspicion of sharing top-secret military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine and other important national security issues in a chat room on the social media platform Discord. Teixeira had a top secret information security clearance, which gave him access to classified information.
“Individuals who have been granted security clearances are entrusted to protect classified information and the secrets of our country. The allegations in today’s indictment reveal a serious breach of that trust,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement last week. “The FBI and our partners remain committed to holding accountable those who endanger our national security and that of our allies around the world.”
PENTAGON LEAK SUSPECTED JACK TEIXIERA REPOSED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY
A selfie of Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old National Guard aviator accused of leaking classified information. (Facebook)
The leaked documents revealed secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the capabilities and geopolitical interests of other nations, and other national security issues.
JACK TEIXIERA MADE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION WRONG TWICE FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY LEAK: REPORT
Destroyed objects, a helmet and other equipment were found in a dumpster outside Jack Teixeira’s home after his arrest, according to the Justice Department. (Justice)
Last month, a judge ordered Teixeira to remain in prison pending trial, saying his release would risk him trying to flee the country or obstructing justice. His family has expressed support for him and his lawyers had urged the judge to release him to his father, saying he has no criminal record.
Air Force officials reportedly ordered Teixeira in September and October 2022 to “stop diving deep into classified intelligence information,” according to The New York Times, which reported that he had previously been caught accessing classified materials.
This image, taken from video from WCVB-TV, shows Jack Teixeira, in a T-shirt and shorts, being taken into custody by armed tactical officers on Thursday, April 13, 2023 in Dighton, Massachusetts. (WCVB TV via AP)
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“Teixeira had been previously instructed to focus on his own career duties and not seek out intelligence products,” a superior wrote in a Feb. 4 memo, according to the report.
Teixeira faces more than ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if found guilty.
Adam Sabes, David Spunt and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
