David Franklin Slater, a 64-year-old retired US Army lieutenant colonel working as a civilian for the US Air Force at Strategic Command, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to transmit national defense information. Slater, who held a Top Secret security clearance, admitted to sharing classified information regarding the Russia-Ukraine war with a woman he met on an online dating platform. This breach of security occurred despite his having signed a non-disclosure agreement acknowledging the potential for “irreparable injury to the United States” from mishandling sensitive compartmented information.
Slater’s illicit communications with his alleged love interest, referred to as “co-conspirator 1” in court documents, began in February 2022, coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Valentine’s Day. The two regularly communicated via email and an online messaging platform. During this period, the co-conspirator frequently requested sensitive, non-public, and classified national defense information that Slater had access to through his employment.
The indictment reveals specific examples of these exchanges, where the woman directly inquired about military targets and Russian military capabilities related to the war in Ukraine.
Messages from the co-conspirator to Slater included phrases like, “Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting,” and “You are my secret informant love!” These messages demonstrate the co-conspirator’s clear intent to elicit classified details from Slater.
US Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska emphasized the gravity of Slater’s actions, stating that he “failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that person’s motives.” Woods highlighted the great responsibility that accompanies access to classified information, a responsibility Slater evidently disregarded.
Slater now faces significant penalties for his actions. The charge of conspiracy to transmit national defense information carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 8, where the court will determine the final consequences of his breach of national security.
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