Ahead of a brand new courtroom date Thursday, federal prosecutors mentioned that the 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking a whole lot of extremely categorized Pentagon paperwork on-line has an “enormous incentive to flee” and shouldn’t be launched from detention on bail.
In what could possibly be the largest intelligence leak in years, Airman Jack Teixeira, 21, is accused of posting categorized navy paperwork to the Discord on-line chat platform. FBI brokers mentioned the highest secret paperwork he leaked included delicate details about the standing of the Russia-Ukraine battle, together with troop actions, amongst many different gadgets.
“His release would heighten the risk that he would make further unauthorized disclosures of classified national defense information,” prosecutors mentioned in a Wednesday movement. “He has an enormous incentive to flee, and there are numerous adversaries of the United States that could provide him the means to do so, regardless of the conditions set by the court.”
At the time of his arrest, Airman Teixeira was serving with the Air National Guard’s 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The public defender lawyer working for the Massachusetts airman cost the federal government is participating in “hyperbolic judgments” concerning the case and deny their shopper poses a threat of flight. They observe the airman waited at his dad and mom’ residence in North Dighton, Mass. to be arrested earlier this month although he knew federal brokers have been coming to arrest him.
“There is no allegation in the affidavit that Mr. Teixeira had any intent for these documents to become widely available on the internet or desired to disrupt the geopolitical affairs of the United States,” his lawyer wrote in a submitting forward of Thursday’s listening to. “Thus, there is no reason to suggest that, if released, Mr. Teixeira has any motivation, desire, or current ability to commit any actions like those alleged in the complaint affidavit or in the government’s supplemental motion for detention.”
Federal Magistrate Judge David Hennessy has set a 1 p.m. detention listening to in Worcester, Mass. Thursday to listen to arguments about whether or not Airman Teixeira ought to be saved in federal custody forward of his trial.
Prosecutors mentioned he considered a whole lot of delicate paperwork between February 2022 and April 2023. He made a whole lot of key phrase searches in an effort to search out categorized data and solicited requests from his on-line pals on what to publish.
“The defendant accessed these documents in what appears to be a deliberate effort to disseminate this country’s secrets,” in keeping with the courtroom submitting.
As investigators have been closing in, the airman allegedly started destroying proof and contacting potential witnesses in what federal prosecutors mentioned was a transparent try to hinder justice.
Prosecutors say the airman deleted the social media server the place he posted authorities data, inspired others to delete proof that could possibly be used towards him, and removed a number of digital units. He additionally acquired a brand new cellphone quantity and electronic mail handle, in keeping with the courtroom submitting.
“The defendant took these steps with the intent to cover his tracks and to obscure his role in multiple crimes,” prosecutors mentioned. “The defendant would have no hesitation, if released, to continue in his efforts to obstruct efforts to bring him to justice.”
Based on the coaching he obtained within the navy, Airman Teixeira would have little bother getting round any restrictions positioned on him if he was let loose pending the trial, prosecutors mentioned.
“There is clear and convincing evidence to show that the defendant poses a threat to the integrity of this judicial proceeding,” in keeping with the courtroom submitting.
Prosecutors additionally say the accused owned “a virtual arsenal” of firearms on the time of his arrest and had used his government-supplied pc to seek for phrases about violent incidents reminiscent of “Ruby Ridge,” Las Vegas capturing” and “Uvalde.”
“The defendant has already proved himself to be a danger to the U.S. national security,” prosecutors mentioned. “In light of the physical danger posed by the defendant, if released, there is simply no condition or combination of conditions that can be fashioned to adequately address and mitigate the risk posed by his release.”
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