Latest News | "Exposed: Inside the FBI Sting That Unmasked a Would-Be Spy at the NSA
Former NSA Employee Sentenced 22 Years for Espionage Attempt with FBI Sting Operation
Jareh Sebastian Dalke, a former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for attempting to sell National Defense Information (NDI) to what he believed was a Russian spy, but was actually an undercover FBI agent. Dalke, motivated by financial difficulties and a newfound connection to his Russian heritage, engaged in communication with the undercover agent, eventually transferring top-secret documents in exchange for $85,000. He was arrested by the FBI immediately after transmitting the files.
Key Takeaways:
Jareh Sebastian Dalke, a former NSA employee, attempted to sell national defence information to a supposed Russian spy for $85,000.- The "Russian spy" turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.
- Dalke cited financial struggles and a recently discovered Russian heritage as motivators for his actions.
- He was caught red-handed transferring top-secret documents and pleaded guilty during his trial.
- FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasised the consequences of betraying national defence trust, while Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the accountability for such crimes.
Aftermath:
Jareh Sebastian Dalke has been sentenced to 262 months (close to 22 years) in prison.- The case serves as a warning to individuals entrusted with safeguarding national defence information.
Source and further reading.
Leong, A. (2024, April 30). Former NSA employee sentenced 22 years for trying to sell secrets to Russia. HotHardware.
https://hothardware.com/news/former-nsa-employee-sentenced-for-selling-secrets-to-russian-spy
Former NSA employee pleads guilty to attempted espionage. (2023, October 23).
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-nsa-employee-pleads-guilty-attempted-espionage