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Federal authorities have brought charges against a civilian Air Force employee for allegedly sharing classified information about Russia’s war with Ukraine through an online dating platform. The accused, David Franklin Slater, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, worked at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He was arrested for disclosing and conspiring to transmit classified intelligence in early 2022.
According to the indictment, Slater’s romantic interest, referred to as his “co-conspirator,” regularly requested sensitive information from him, even calling him “my secret agent.” Slater allegedly fulfilled these requests, leading to his arrest. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Interestingly, this case coincided with another incident involving leaks of highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira recently pleaded guilty to leaking such information on the social media platform Discord.
Slater had a top-secret security clearance and worked in a classified space at STRATCOM. He attended classified briefings regarding Ukraine, which had been invaded by Russia in February 2022. Allegedly, he shared information from these briefings, including details about military targets and Russian capabilities, with an individual claiming to be a woman from Ukraine. The messages were sent through an undisclosed foreign online dating website’s messaging platform.
The indictment also reveals that the correspondent made several requests for classified intelligence following the invasion. The messages showed curiosity about the contents of the special room and expressed gratitude for Slater’s information, referring to him as a secret informant.
Slater now faces charges of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and conspiracy to disclose national defense information. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 per count.
It is important to note that STRATCOM spokesperson Capt. Ron Flanders confirmed Slater’s employment at the command’s logistics directorate until 2022. STRATCOM oversees the daily operations of America’s nuclear weapons and the platforms that carry them.
David Franklin Slater has a military background, having served in the active duty Army and the Army Reserve. He worked as an active-duty logistician and deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar during his service.
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FAQs
Q: What are the charges against David Franklin Slater?
A: David Franklin Slater is charged with unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and conspiracy to disclose national defense information. If convicted, he could face imprisonment, supervised release, and fines.
Q: Who else is involved in this case?
A: The indictment does not identify the person behind the online dating account who allegedly requested classified information from Slater.
Q: What is U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM)?
A: STRATCOM is responsible for overseeing the operations of America’s nuclear weapons and the platforms that carry them.
Conclusion
The case of the Air Force employee sharing classified information through an online dating platform highlights the potential risks and vulnerabilities in information security. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding sensitive data and the need for stringent measures to prevent unauthorized disclosures. As we navigate an increasingly digital world, it is crucial to remain vigilant and protect national security interests.
