David Slater, a civilian worker for the United States Air Force, has been accused of illegally sharing sensitive information concerning the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Slater, 63, a former Army lieutenant colonel working in a civilian position for the US Strategic Command, was taken into custody on Saturday for his role in transmitting classified information via a foreign dating website.
Air Force Employee Leaked Confidential Information
According to the Justice Department, Slater's acts took place between approximately February 2022 and April 2022, coinciding with Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Slater, who held a "top secret" security clearance, was alleged to have sent classified information regarding military targets in Russia's war against Ukraine, including details about Russian military capabilities relating to the invasion.
The messages exchanged over email and through the dating platform were directed to a woman who claimed to be residing in Ukraine. Prosecutors claim that the woman regularly solicited Slater for sensitive and classified national defense information, referring to him as her "secret informant love" and "secret agent."
Leaker Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison
The indictment alleges that Slater attended classified briefings about Russia's war against Ukraine at US Strategic Command. During these sessions, which were classified up to the highest level of secrecy, Slater purportedly learned about critical military targets and capabilities. Subsequently, he transmitted this classified information to the woman, who posed as a resident of Ukraine, via the dating website's messaging platform.
Slater faces severe penalties if convicted, including a maximum of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and hefty fines for each count of conspiracy and transmission of national defense information.
The FBI Omaha Field Office and Air Force Office of Special Investigations are jointly investigating the case, with Assistant US Attorney Donald Kleine and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder prosecuting.
Threat to National Security
In response to the charges, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen emphasized the gravity of Slater's actions, stating that such conduct poses a significant risk to national security. US Attorney Susan Lehr echoed this sentiment, highlighting the betrayal of trust inherent in Slater's alleged actions.
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office emphasized the importance of safeguarding classified information to protect the nation's security interests. "When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation's intelligence, they put our country at risk," Kowel said in a statement.
Slater is set to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday, March 5, in the District of Nebraska.
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