Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira, who pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for leaking highly classified military documents, faced a hearing on Tuesday that will determine if his case will also be referred to a general court-martial. Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, wore his military uniform to the Article 32 hearing on Tuesday at Hanscom Air Force Base, looking much different than the prison uniform and shackles he wore to federal court appearances. He faces two charges in the military justice system, including obstructing justice and failing to obey a lawful order, Air Force officials said. Air Force prosecutors argued Tuesday that Teixeira should face court martial for failure to obey a lawful order and obstruction of justice. They allege he was told repeatedly to stop accessing classified information while on the job at Otis Air Base. He’s also accused of destroying his electronic devices before his arrest. And telling other members on social media to delete his messages. The military proceeding comes nearly two months after Teixeira pleaded guilty in federal court to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act. That was close to a year after he was arrested in the most consequential national security leak in years.In court, he admitted illegally collecting some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets and sharing them with other users on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games.Teixeira, who was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks.A spokesperson for Teixeira’s family said they had no comment Wednesday and his attorneys in his criminal case didn’t immediately respond to an email.The stunning security breach raised alarm over America’s ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira’s suspicious behavior.Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest, and authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and Xbox gaming console in a dumpster at his house.The leak exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S. adversary’s plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. —
Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira, who pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for leaking highly classified military documents, faced a hearing on Tuesday that will determine if his case will also be referred to a general court-martial.
Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, wore his military uniform to the Article 32 hearing on Tuesday at Hanscom Air Force Base, looking much different than the prison uniform and shackles he wore to federal court appearances.
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He faces two charges in the military justice system, including obstructing justice and failing to obey a lawful order, Air Force officials said.
Air Force prosecutors argued Tuesday that Teixeira should face court martial for failure to obey a lawful order and obstruction of justice. They allege he was told repeatedly to stop accessing classified information while on the job at Otis Air Base.
He’s also accused of destroying his electronic devices before his arrest. And telling other members on social media to delete his messages.
Mass. guardsman Jack Teixeira admits to leaking military secrets, agrees to prison time
The military proceeding comes nearly two months after Teixeira pleaded guilty in federal court to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act. That was close to a year after he was arrested in the most consequential national security leak in years.
In court, he admitted illegally collecting some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets and sharing them with other users on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games.
Teixeira, who was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks.
A spokesperson for Teixeira’s family said they had no comment Wednesday and his attorneys in his criminal case didn’t immediately respond to an email.
The stunning security breach raised alarm over America’s ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira’s suspicious behavior.
Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest, and authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and Xbox gaming console in a dumpster at his house.
The leak exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S. adversary’s plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
