FBI arrests suspect in connection with intelligence leaks [View all]
Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2023, 05:46 PM - Edit history (2)
Source: CNN Politics
CNN -- A member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard was arrested by the FBI on Thursday in connection with the leaking of classified documents that have been posted online, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Thursday. The arrest of Jack Teixeira, 21, comes following a fast-moving search by the US government for the identity of the leaker who posted classified documents to a social media platform popular with video gamers.
Teixeira was arrested in Massachusetts without incident, Garland said, and will be arraigned in federal court there. "This investigation is ongoing. We will share more information at the appropriate time," the attorney general said, declining to answer questions. Teixeira will first appear in court on Friday in Boston, according to the US attorney's office there. The FBI said in a statement that it took Teixeira into custody "at a residence in North Dighton, Massachusetts, for his alleged involvement in leaking classified U.S. government and military documents."
"The FBI is continuing to conduct authorized law enforcement activity at the residence," the agency said. "Since late last week the FBI has aggressively pursued investigative leads, and today's arrest exemplifies our continued commitment to identifying, pursuing, and holding accountable those who betray our country's trust and put our national security at risk."
The leaked documents posted to social media, some of which have been obtained by CNN, included detailed intelligence assessments of allies and adversaries alike, including on the state of the war in Ukraine and the challenges Kyiv and Moscow face as the war appears stuck in a stalemate. Multiple US officials told CNN that Teixeira is believed to be the leader of the group where a trove of classified documents had been posted.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/13/politics/us-government-intel-leak/index.html
Article updated.
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Teixeira was arrested in Massachusetts without incident, Garland said, and will be arraigned in federal court there. "This investigation is ongoing. We will share more information at the appropriate time," Garland said, declining to answer questions. Teixeira was first identified by The New York Times ahead of his arrest Thursday as the leader of the group where a trove of classified documents had been posted.
The leaked documents posted to social media, some of which have been obtained by CNN, include detailed intelligence assessments of allies and adversaries alike, including on the state of the war in Ukraine and the challenges Kyiv and Moscow face as the war appears stuck in a stalemate.
The FBI had narrowed the number of people who they believe could be responsible for the leaks and have been conducting interviews in recent days, two people briefed on the matter said earlier. While there's a large number of people who had access to the documents, investigators have been able to home in on a small number for closer scrutiny thanks to the forensic trail left by the person who posted the documents. Investigators are working on building a case for prosecution, people familiar with the matter say. Earlier Thursday, President Joe Biden appeared to suggest that the US government was close to identifying the leaker.
Teixeira had been identified by The New York Times ahead of his arrest Thursday as the leader of the group where a trove of classified documents was posted.
The FBI had narrowed the number of people who they believe could be responsible for the leaks and have been conducting interviews in recent days, two people briefed on the matter said earlier. While there's a large number of people who had access to the documents, investigators have been able to home in on a small number for closer scrutiny thanks to the forensic trail left by the person who posted the documents. Investigators are working on building a case for prosecution, people familiar with the matter say.
Another source familiar with the criminal investigation said that they expect it will move along much more quickly than the Pentagon's damage assessment of the leaks. Earlier Thursday, President Joe Biden appeared to suggest that the US government was close to identifying the leaker.
Original article/headline -
CNN -- A member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard was arrested on Thursday in connection with the leaking of classified documents that have been posted online, according to a US official familiar with the matter. The arrest of Jack Teixeira, 21, comes following a fast-moving search by the US government for the identity of the leaker who posted classified documents to a social media platform popular with video gamers.
Teixeira had been identified by The New York Times ahead of his arrest Thursday as the leader of the group where a trove of classified documents was posted.
The FBI had narrowed the number of people who they believe could be responsible for the leaks and have been conducting interviews in recent days, two people briefed on the matter said earlier. While there's a large number of people who had access to the documents, investigators have been able to home in on a small number for closer scrutiny thanks to the forensic trail left by the person who posted the documents. Investigators are working on building a case for prosecution, people familiar with the matter say.
Another source familiar with the criminal investigation said that they expect it will move along much more quickly than the Pentagon's damage assessment of the leaks.
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