The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a 21-year-old man, Jack Douglas Teixeira, who is suspected of leaking highly classified US government and military documents on social media platforms. The leaked documents contained sensitive information related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and details of US intelligence operations on allies.
The FBI took Teixeira into custody without incident at his residence in North Dighton, Massachusetts. Teixeira is an airman in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and works as a “cyber transport systems specialist”, which is similar to an IT specialist. He was an active member of a private Discord server called Thug Shaker Central, where he allegedly shared over 300 classified documents with around 24 members, including individuals from non-US nations.
Teixeira’s actions have been described as deliberate and premeditated by those who knew him online. According to a friend, Teixeira is a devout Catholic with an interest in guns, and he knew what he was doing when he leaked the documents. The leaked documents were first transcribed and then later shared as photographs, which were subsequently circulated on other Discord groups and social media sites like Twitter. The exact number of documents leaked is unknown.
The FBI’s statement on Teixeira’s arrest emphasized their commitment to identifying and holding accountable those who betray the country’s trust and jeopardize national security. Teixeira’s arrest serves as a warning that leaking classified information will not be tolerated and will be met with swift legal action.
