Air National Guard Member Arraigned for Leaking Classified Documents

Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was arraigned on charges of violating military laws after allegedly leaking classified U.S. national security documents. The Air Force claims Teixeira obstructed justice and failed to obey orders. His court-martial is scheduled for March. The U.S. Justice Department seeks a 16-year sentence.

Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arraigned on Friday for allegedly leaking classified U.S. national security documents online. The charges, brought forward by the U.S. Air Force, include obstruction of justice and failing to comply with a lawful order.

In a brief court appearance at Hanscom Air Force Base, Teixeira deferred his plea until his court-martial, scheduled for March 10. Air Force prosecutors allege he ignored orders to cease accessing unrelated classified information and disposed of several electronic devices to obstruct justice. There will be pre-trial hearings in November and January to address defense motions.

Teixeira, who held a top-secret security clearance, was arrested in April 2023. Prosecutors claim he started accessing and sharing classified documents in January 2022, including sensitive information about global conflicts. He allegedly shared this data on Discord and boasted about his access. The Justice Department is pushing for a sentence of over 16 years.

(With inputs from agencies.)