Leaked Classified Information
A former CIA Employee was charged in a 13-count Indictment in connection with his alleged theft of classified national defense information from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the transmission of that material to an organization that purports to publicly disseminate classified, sensitive, and confidential information. The Indictment also charges Schulte with the receipt, possession, and transportation of child pornography, as well as criminal copyright infringement. Schulte, who is presently detained on the child pornography charges, will be arraigned by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
Child Pornography Found
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Joshua Schulte, a former employee of the CIA, allegedly used his access at the agency to transmit classified material to an outside organization.
During the course of this investigation, federal agents also discovered alleged child pornography in Schulte’s New York City residence.
We and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting national security information and ensuring that those trusted to handle it honor their important responsibilities. Unlawful disclosure of classified intelligence can pose a grave threat to our national security, potentially endangering the safety of Americans.”
Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers said: “The National Security Division, alongside our partners in the Intelligence Community, will not waver in our commitment to pursue and hold accountable these officials, and I commend all those at the Department of Justice and the FBI who have worked diligently to investigate this matter and bring these charges.”
Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. said: “As alleged, Schulte utterly betrayed this nation and downright violated his victims. As an employee of the CIA, Schulte took an oath to protect this country, but he blatantly endangered it by the transmission of Classified Information. To further endanger those around him, Schulte allegedly received, possessed, and transmitted thousands of child pornographic photos and videos. In an effort to protect this nation against crimes such as these, the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division in New York will continue to keep our mission at the forefront of our investigations in protecting the American public.”
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