DIGHTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking extremely categorized paperwork had set his sights on becoming a member of the navy from an early age. But extra not too long ago he had expressed disillusionment about having enlisted.
Jack Teixeira, 21, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston with unauthorized removing and retention of categorized and nationwide protection data – a breach that has precipitated a global uproar and uncovered express U.S. assessments on the conflict in Ukraine and different intently held secrets and techniques. A Justice of the Peace choose ordered Teixeira held till a detention listening to subsequent week.
Teixeira grew up in Dighton, a rural group south of Boston that’s dotted with single-family properties interspersed with small farms. His mom’s dwelling sits down an extended driveway in heavy woods. A florist, she generally places out a flower cart by the aspect of the highway, promoting bouquets on the glory system.
Two of his classmates instructed The Boston Globe that Teixeira revered the navy and confirmed an early curiosity in becoming a member of. He was particularly targeted on the historical past of conflict and weapons.
“From a young age, I remember he would have a book on, I believe, U.S. military aircrafts, armaments, like a real big textbook,” John Powell instructed the Globe.
Though Powell remembered Teixeira being bullied in center college, he instructed the newspaper that the younger man was an optimist and “sweetheart,” with an particularly shut relationship along with his stepdad, an Air Force veteran.
High college classmate Kailani Reis instructed the newspaper Teixeira was “super quiet” and gave off “loner vibes,” whereas one other classmate, Sarah Arnold, instructed AP she remembered him as being quiet and conserving to himself.
Teixeira enlisted within the Air National Guard in September 2019, in keeping with navy information. He graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School the next 12 months, when the COVID-19 pandemic compelled the varsity to shut and go digital.
It was in the course of the pandemic that Teixeira developed a detailed relationship with different members of a chat room on the social media platform Discord, the place members of the group have stated the leaks confirmed up. The chat app is utilized by video avid gamers and others to attach on-line.
A member of the Discord chat group spoke to AP in regards to the conversations, however declined to provide his title, citing considerations for his private security. The group, known as “Thug Shaker Central,” drew individuals who talked about their favourite forms of weapons and shared memes and jokes, the particular person instructed the AP.
The group additionally included a working dialogue about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For months, a member nicknamed “the O.G.” posted reams of categorized materials, stated the Discord member who confirmed that O.G. was Teixeira.
Teixeira preferred to speak about weapons, was an observant Christian and would usually pray with group members, the guy member stated. In current months, Teixeira had develop into disillusioned in regards to the U.S. navy and had begun to specific “regret (about) joining,,” the particular person stated. “He even said he’d kick my ass if I thought about joining.”
Teixeira additionally fearful the federal authorities had develop into too highly effective, in keeping with the Discord consumer.
The chat group member stated he wasn’t certain why Teixeira enlisted, however believed he wanted cash for school. He added that O.G. was expert at making memes.
“He was good at his craft. He was good with, you know, Photoshop,” the group member instructed AP, including that Teixeira ”was by no means a really, tremendous critical man, often was all like laughs and giggles.”
Teixeira was not too long ago promoted to Airman 1st Class and assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, the place his job was listed as a cyber transport methods journeyman.
Despite his comparatively low rank, the expertise place would have given Teixeira accountability for sustaining laptop networks with entry to categorized data. Teixeira was activated to lively obligation in October 2021, serving full time on the base, which is positioned on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
The Discord member stated he didn’t consider Teixeira leaked paperwork to undermine the U.S. authorities or for an ideological cause.
“If I had to give a gauge on it, it would be more or less just some nerds wanting to glance over some stuff and compare and contrast and kind of have a little joke about it,” he stated, including that, ”At the top of the day, I imply we’re simply making an attempt to have a enjoyable time.”
• Merchant reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jennifer McDermott in Dighton, Massachusetts, and Alan Suderman, Michael Bieseker and Richard Lardner in Washington contributed to this report.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com