Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics
By Dan Whitcomb

Two U.S. Air Force commanders suspended in unit of accused intelligence leaker

Photo evidence collected during the investigation into U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is accused of leaking classified documents online, is released in a document by the U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS

The U.S. Air Force has suspended two commanders from the National Guard unit where accused classified intelligence leaker Jack Teixeira served, a USAF spokesman said on Wednesday.

Teixeira, 21, was arrested by the FBI on April 13 at his home in Massachusetts and charged with violating the Espionage Act. Prosecutors say he leaked classified documents to a group of gamers on the messaging app Discord.

Photo evidence collected during the investigation into U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is accused of leaking classified documents online, is released in a document by the U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS

He was ordered detained pending a trial during a hearing on April 19.

The Air Force spokesman said on Wednesday that it had suspended the operation commander and detachment commander of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, where Teixeira served. The Air Force did not identify the commanders by name.

"This means that both the squadron's state Air National Guard operational commander and current federal orders administrative commander have been suspended pending completion of the Department of the Air Force Inspector General Investigation," the spokesman said.

Photo evidence collected during the investigation into U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is accused of leaking classified documents online, is released in a document by the U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS

"Also, the Department of Air Force has temporarily removed these individuals' access to classified systems and information," he said.

The case has been called the most serious U.S. security breach since more than 700,000 documents, videos and diplomatic cables appeared on the WikiLeaks website in 2010.

Teixeira may face more charges as additional evidence is presented to a grand jury, legal experts say. A conviction on the Espionage Act charge carries up to 10 years in federal prison.

Photo evidence collected during the investigation into U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is accused of leaking classified documents online, is released in a document by the U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb Editing by Leslie Adler)

FILE PHOTO: A mockup representation of classified U.S. military documents and a keyboard are seen in this illustration taken April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.