US IT specialist prepared to share labeled data with foreigners arrested: DOJ

[ad_1] A authorities worker in Virginia was arrested on Thursday after he tried to share labeled info with an officer or agent of a overseas authorities, the Division of Justice introduced.

Nathan Laatsch, a 28-year-old IT specialist employed by the Protection Intelligence Company since 2019, was arrested after the FBI obtained a tip in March 2025 that somebody was prepared to offer labeled info to a pleasant overseas authorities.

Laatsch was a civilian worker within the DIA's Insider Menace Division and held a high secret safety clearance, in accordance with the DOJ.

An e mail to the FBI mentioned that the particular person – later recognized as Laatsch – did not "agree or align with the values" of the Trump administration, and can be prepared to share labeled info that he may entry, together with "accomplished intelligence merchandise, some unprocessed intelligence, and different assorted labeled documentation."

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTOR CHARGED AFTER PRINTING TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS, TRYING TO LEAVE WITH THEM TO MEXICO

An IT specialist in northern Virginia is behind bars after an FBI agent caught him sharing labeled info with who he believed was a overseas authorities official. (iStock)

Laatsch communicated with an FBI agent, whom he believed to be a overseas authorities official, a number of occasions and would affirm that he was able to share labeled info that he transcribed onto a notepad at his desk, the DOJ mentioned. He allegedly exfiltrated the knowledge from his workspace a number of occasions over a three-day interval in preparation.

The FBI arrange an operation at a northern Virginia park the place Laatsch was to deposit labeled info "for the overseas authorities to retrieve," in accordance with the DOJ. He was noticed by the FBI on or round Might 1 depositing an merchandise on the specified location.

As soon as he left, the DOJ mentioned FBI brokers retrieved a thumb drive from the world discovered to include a message from Laatsch and a number of typed paperwork with info portion-marked for Secret or Prime Secret ranges. His message allegedly indicated that he was sharing "an honest pattern dimension" of labeled info to reveal the forms of issues he has entry to.

The Division of Justice mentioned Nathan Laatsch, 28, was arrested after he tried to share labeled info with a overseas authorities as a result of he allegedly didn't "agree or align" with the Trump admin's values. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)

SUSPECT CHARGED IN LEAK OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS ON ISRAEL'S PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE IRAN STRIKE

On Might 7, after Laatsch realized that the thumb drive had been retrieved, he allegedly despatched a message to the secret agent showing to say that he was searching for one thing in trade for providing the information.

The next day, he specified that he was fascinated with "citizenship on your nation" as a result of he did not count on issues in America "to enhance in the long run," the DOJ mentioned. He additionally allegedly mentioned he was "not against different compensation," however not in a spot the place he wanted "materials compensation."

Laatsch was advised on Might 14 by the FBI agent that the "overseas authorities" was prepared for extra labeled info. Between Might 15 and Might 27, he transcribed extra info and commenced to take away it from the constructing by folding the notes and hiding them in his clothes.

Laatsch was unknowingly speaking with an FBI agent when he was agreeing to share labeled info, in accordance with the DOJ. (iStock)

On Thursday, Laatsch arrived at a prearranged location in northern Virginia to drop the knowledge off to the "overseas nation." He was arrested as soon as the FBI obtained the paperwork.