FBI arrests Massachusetts Air National Guard member in leak of classified Pentagon documents

A member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard who emerged as a key interest in the leak of classified military documents about the war in Ukraine was arrested Thursday by federal agents, U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland announced.

Investigators​​​​believe that the guard, who specializes in intelligence, led an online chat group where the documents were posted.

Garland identified the guardsman as 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, and said he will be charged with the removal of classified national defense information as illegal.

FBI agents converged on Teixeira’s Massachusetts home, and heavily armed tactical agents took him wearing a T-shirt and shorts into custody outside the property.

It was not immediately clear if Teixeira had an attorney available to speak on his behalf, and a phone message left at a number believed to be his mother’s was not immediately returned.

The emergence of Teixeira as the main suspect will certainly raise the question of how the most high-level intelligence leak in years – which continues to open with almost daily revelations of classified documents – could be caused by a young, low-ranking person. service members.

The Biden administration has spent several days containing the leaked information, which has revealed potential vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and evaluated private assessments by allies on various intelligence issues.

‘Criminal action’

The National Guard did not confirm his identity but said in a statement, “We are aware of the investigation into the alleged role that the Massachusetts Air National Guard may have played in the leak of classified documents.”

Air Force Brig.-General. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, referred all questions about the case to the Justice Department. But he said, “We have rules. Every time we sign a non-disclosure agreement. This is a criminal act, a willful violation.”

The Biden administration has been working to assess the diplomatic and national security consequences of the leaked documents since they were first reported last week. A top Pentagon spokeswoman told reporters earlier this week that the leaks pose “a very serious risk to national security,” and that the Justice Department is opening an investigation to identify those responsible.