From Cyber Guard to Leaker: The Jack Teixeira Case

Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was sentenced to 15 years for leaking classified military documents online. Despite warnings from superiors, he shared sensitive information on Discord related to global events, including Russia's war in Ukraine, to educate friends. His lawyers argued he had no intent to harm.

Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira received a 15-year prison sentence for leaking highly classified military documents online. The documents, which included sensitive details about Russia's conflict in Ukraine, marked a significant violation of the Espionage Act, according to U.S. prosecutors.

The 22-year-old was sentenced by Judge Indira Talwani in Boston after pleading guilty to multiple counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Teixeira shared these classified records with a group on the messaging app Discord, even after being warned by superiors about improper handling of sensitive information.

Despite Teixeira's defense lawyers pleading for compassion due to his isolated lifestyle and autism, Judge Talwani imposed the full sentence, considering the serious impact of the leaks. The incident underscored the risks associated with access to top-secret information by lower-level military personnel.

(With inputs from agencies.)