Jack Teixeira, a former member of the United States Air National Guard, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sharing these documents on the Discord platform.
The former American soldier, aged 22, had published documents classified as defense secrets on several social networks, particularly on the war in Ukraine. This revelation raised serious questions about potential security flaws within the army.
One of the biggest leaks in the history of classified defense documents
The documents, shared on a Discord discussion group and other social networks, revealed the fears of American intelligence services about the viability in 2023 of a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The documents also suggest that the United States collected data on its closest partnersespecially South Korea and Israel. It is also one of the biggest leaks after Edward Snowden's revelation in 2013.
Anyway, Jack Teixeira, arrested in April 2023 in his parents' house near Bostonafter several days of research by the federal police (FBI), assumes all responsibility in this matter.
“I’m sorry for anything I did wrong,” he apologized before Judge Indira Talwani who pronounced the sentence. “I understand that all responsibilities rest on my shoulders alone. And I accept the consequences,” he added, according to American media present in the courtroom.
“You may be young, but you probably know better than those of my generation how easily things spread on the internet,” the judge said.
Discord admin leak? Washington in embarrassment?
This affair embarrassed Washington and raised questions about possible security breaches. Indeed, given the modest rank of this young soldier, he would not have had a defense secret clearance allowing him to have access to this sensitive data.
As a reminder, Jack Teixeira was enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019. He had the rank of first class enlisted, the third lowest in the hierarchy, in May 2022.
He was specialist in IT and communications at the Otis base on Cape Cod, south of Boston. Furthermore, in February 2023 he was working on cyber defense operations.
Another military trial to come
During his arrest, Jack Teixeira disputed the accusations, then ended up plead guilty to six charges of “voluntary retention and transmission of information relating to national defense”.
It was this confession that had spared him a trial which could have earned him a heavier sentence. Despite the statements of his lawyer, Michael Bachrach, who assured that he “tremendously regretted his actions”, was not out of the woods.
In fact, it will still be tried by court martialbecause the American army had also prosecuted him in military justice.
What do you think of Jack Teixeira's arrest and sentence? Share your opinion in the comments.
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