Air National Guardsman sentenced to 15 years for high-profile intelligence leaks

Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking classified defense documents on social media. Teixeira, who held a junior position as an IT specialist, used his clearance to post sensitive intelligence, allegedly to gain approval from online friends on Discord. Among his leaks were details on U.S. and ally military operations, including troop movements in Ukraine and potential threats against U.S. personnel, prompting diplomatic tensions.

The government compared Teixeira’s case to that of former CIA employee Joshua Schulte, who leaked information to WikiLeaks and received a 40-year sentence earlier this year. Prosecutors emphasized Teixeira’s motivations to “feed his ego,” asserting that his actions caused immeasurable damage to U.S. security.