Pentagon Leak Suspect Jack Teixeira Indicted: What Charges Is He Facing?
Jack Teixeira, the man behind the Pentagon leak, was indicted by a federal grand jury on six charges of willful retention and communication of national defense information on Thursday. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

The Justice Department has made an official announcement regarding the indictment of Jack Teixeira, the Air National Guardsman accused in the Pentagon leak case, after sharing classified documents on social media, CNN reports.

Teixeira, a junior enlisted airman within the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 102nd Intelligence Wing, has been formally charged with six counts of willfully retaining and transmitting classified information related to national defense.

The arrest of the 21-year-old Massachusetts native took place in April, with charges being filed against him under the Espionage Act.

Teixeira allegedly obtained classified information from Otis Air National Guard Base and posted it on Discord, a popular social media platform among gamers.

The Justice Department's statement on the indictment noted that Teixeira had shared images of classified documents on the social media platform, which were marked with standard classification labels such as "SECRET," "TOP SECRET," and SCI designations, indicating their highly classified nature as official United States government information.

Teixeira has not entered a formal plea and remains in federal custody.

Jack Teixeira Punishment

When the Espionage Act was initially enacted, it outlined potential penalties of up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines reaching $10,000 per charge, per BBC.

Brandon Van Grack, a former national security prosecutor with the Justice Department who now works at the law firm Morrison Foerster, explained that in this case, the severity of the potential punishment could be toward the higher end due to the significant damage caused by the leaks.

He emphasized the potential for criminal charges and accompanying financial penalties under the Espionage Act.

Steven Stransky, another expert in the field, stated that the Espionage Act carries both criminal charges and financial consequences.

If the Justice Department pursues a criminal violation of the Espionage Act, he noted that jail sentencing is often sought to deter future similar actions.

The Pentagon has expressed its grave concern over the Pentagon leak, describing it as a deliberate criminal act.

The Pentagon spokesperson underscored the seriousness of the offense, emphasizing that strict guidelines are in place for employees, and any violation of those rules is considered a willful act.

Jack Teixeira and the Pentagon Leak

The charging documents shed light on Jack Teixeira's journey within the Air National Guard, starting from his enlistment in September 2019 and eventually attaining a top-secret security clearance by 2021, according to Al Jazeera.

However, the Justice Department alleges that Teixeira's actions took a concerning turn around January 2022. During this period, he is accused of accessing, copying, and sharing sensitive information within the online community Discord, which is commonly frequented by gamers.

Teixeira reportedly transcribed classified information or captured images of records to disseminate online, according to the charging documents.

The Pentagon leak included details of Ukraine's efforts to defend against a full-scale Russian invasion that commenced in February 2022.

Among the documents allegedly leaked were specifics about Ukraine's air defenses, casualty figures, updates on US aid, and documentation related to Russian espionage activities.

Furthermore, the records uncovered intelligence concerning US military interests in other parts of the world.

For instance, some documents seemed to suggest that the US had conducted surveillance on security officials in South Korea and exerted pressure on President Yoon Suk Yeol to provide ammunition to Ukraine.

These revelations triggered strong reactions among South Korean politicians, with some accusing the US of violating their national sovereignty.

Others, however, expressed skepticism about the authenticity of certain records, suggesting possible manipulation.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jack Teixeira indicted for leaking classified military information - From CBS Boston