Alleged leaker works as cyber transport systems journeyman, Air Force says

A Massachusetts Air National Guardsman at Otis Air National Guard Base, Jack Teixeira, 21, has been taken into custody by the FBI for allegedly leaking classified military documents. Teixeira works as a cyber transport systems journeyman, a specialist tasked with ensuring the Air Force’s “vast, global communications network” functions correctly. He joined the service in September 2019 and holds the third enlisted rank, airman 1st class, with one achievement medal.

The FBI arrested him on suspicion of releasing hundreds of classified military documents on Discord, a messaging platform for young people and video game players. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was briefed on the subject on April 6. The FBI discovered Teixeira’s unauthorized distribution of classified information recently. The documents revealed U.S. intelligence on both sides of the war in Ukraine, uncovering uncomfortable truths over the U.S.’s relationship with allies such as Israel and South Korea. Allegedly, some foreign government statements contained within the leaks are false, and some of the documents have been altered or changed.

According to a statement made by the FBI, “The FBI is continuing to conduct authorized law enforcement activity at the residence. 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 Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder has directed reporters to the Department of Justice for related queries during Thursday’s briefing. Pentagon is reviewing its classified material access policies in the wake of the scandal.

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The FBI described Teixeira’s alleged actions as “a deliberate criminal act.”