A retired US Army colonel from Nebraska, David Franklin Slater, has been accused of sending classified information through a foreign dating website, leading to his arrest on Saturday.
Slater, 63, was previously employed by US Strategic Command (Stratcom), overseeing the US nuclear missile arsenal until 2022.
According to officials, Slater allegedly transmitted documents that could pose a threat to the United States. Charging documents revealed on Monday indicate that Slater shared information from classified Stratcom briefings concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with an individual he believed to be a woman in Ukraine.
In message exchanges, Slater was frequently queried about US national defence secrets. One message, dated March 11, asked about the contents displayed on screens in a special room. Another message, on March 23, referred to Slater as a “secret agent,” expressing gratitude for information about a specific country, which investigators have chosen to redact.
Some of the messages read, “Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting,” “You are my secret agent. With love”, “My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information,” and “you are my secret informant love!”
The documents do not specify the identity of the recipient, or the name of the foreign dating website involved.
The FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation, resulting in Slater’s arrest.
US Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that individuals with access to Top Secret information have certain responsibilities, and Slater’s alleged actions challenge whether he fulfilled those responsibilities.
Slater faces charges of conspiracy and unauthorized disclosure of national defence information, which could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted.
It remains unclear whether Slater has retained legal representation to speak on his behalf.
Coincidentally, the indictment against Slater came shortly after a US airman from the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Jack Teixeira, pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawfully retaining and transmitting national defence information, potentially resulting in a sentence of up to 16 years in prison.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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