FBI arrests 21-year-old for 'criminal' leaks of US intelligence
The US government conducted a swift investigation to identify the individual who leaked classified documents on a social media platform that is frequently used by video gamers. As a result of this inquiry, Jack Teixeira, aged 21, was apprehended and taken into custody.
WASHINGTON, (TechtUSA/AP) - A member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard was reportedly taken into custody by armed FBI officers due to suspicions of releasing confidential military intelligence on the internet.
On Thursday, officials conducted a raid on the residence of Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old cyber security personnel who was employed by the Massachusetts Air National Guard, and subsequently apprehended him without any resistance.
Last week, there were several embarrassing disclosures when it was discovered that an online gaming group had accessed and disseminated hundreds of pages of classified military intelligence.
“We are aware of the investigation into the alleged role a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman may have played in the recent leak of highly-classified documents,” as per a statement issued by the National Guard.
After the arrest, the suspect's service record was released by the Air Force, revealing that he had enlisted as an airman for the Massachusetts Air National Guard in September 2019.
According to a representative of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, Teixeira is scheduled to make his first appearance on Friday.
