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Jack Teixeira: US airman appears in court over Pentagon documents leak Jack Teixeira: US airman charged over Pentagon documents leak
(32 minutes later)
The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents is appearing in court in Boston. Jack Teixeira, 21, is alleged to have had a "top security" clearance that would have given him access to the leaked documents
The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents briefly addressed relatives during a court appearance in Boston.
Jack Teixeira, 21, wore shackles and a prison uniform as he stood before a federal judge.Jack Teixeira, 21, wore shackles and a prison uniform as he stood before a federal judge.
He has been formally charged in relation to the leaking of hundreds of classified documents on a gaming chat server. He responded "you too, dad" to a shout of "love you, Jack," from a person in the courtroom.
Mr Teixeira was arrested by the FBI at his home in Massachusetts on Thursday. He has been charged in relation to the leaking of hundreds of classified files on a gaming chat server.
The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies, embarrassing Washington and raising fresh questions over the security of classified information. The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies.
Mr Teixeira was charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defence information, and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents. The leaks embarrassed Washington and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information.
Mr Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday.
He was charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defence information, and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents.
The airman faces up to 10 years in prison for the first charge, and up to five years in prison for the second.
The judge ruled that the suspect qualifies for a public defender - a lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial for people who cannot afford legal fees.The judge ruled that the suspect qualifies for a public defender - a lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial for people who cannot afford legal fees.
US prosecutors requested Mr Teixeira be held in custody until his trial. US prosecutors requested Mr Teixeira be held in custody until his trial. A detention hearing for him has been set for 19 April.
BBC's US news partner CBS reported that as the hearing ended, a man in the courtroom shouted, "love you, Jack".
Mr Teixeira did not look back, but responded, "you too, dad," according to a CNN reporter inside the courtroom.
'Top secret clearance''Top secret clearance'
The intelligence material first appeared in a Discord chat room that Mr Teixeira was allegedly a member of. The intelligence material first appeared in a Discord chat room that Mr Teixeira was allegedly the administrator of, where members would often discuss geopolitical affairs and wars.
It was not until intelligence material was posted outside the chat room group that Pentagon officials became aware of the leak, prompting a search for the culprit.It was not until intelligence material was posted outside the chat room group that Pentagon officials became aware of the leak, prompting a search for the culprit.
Mr Teixeira worked as an IT specialist in the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts National Guard, based at Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.Mr Teixeira worked as an IT specialist in the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts National Guard, based at Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.
The National Guard is a reservist wing of the US Air Force. They are not employed full time in the military, but can be deployed when necessary.The National Guard is a reservist wing of the US Air Force. They are not employed full time in the military, but can be deployed when necessary.
Mr Texeira's official title was cyber defence operations journeyman, according to the criminal complaint filed in the Boston court. He held the rank of Airman 1st Class - a relatively junior position. Mr Teixeira's official title was cyber defence operations journeyman, according to the criminal complaint filed in the Boston court. He held the rank of Airman 1st Class - a relatively junior position.
In the criminal complaint, it is alleged that Mr Teixeira had a "top secret" security clearance that was granted in 2021. The affidavit provided by FBI Special Agent Patrick Lueckenhoff to the court stated that Mr Teixeira held a "top secret" security clearance since 2021, and that he would have "signed a lifetime binding non-disclosure agreement" to take on his role.Mr Luekenoff added the suspect "would have had to acknowledge that the unauthorized disclosure of protected information could result in criminal charges".
Prosecutors have said that in order to obtain that clearance, Mr Teixeira would have had to sign a lifetime binding non-disclosure agreement, and that he would have been aware that breaching the agreement would result in criminal charges. The affidavit also alleged that Mr Teixeira used his government computer to search classified intelligence reporting for the word "leak" on 6 April - the day when public reporting about the documents first emerged.
Prosecutors alleged that Mr Teixeira searched the term to learn whether US intelligence had information on the identity of the person behind the leaks.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Pentagon leaksPentagon leaks
BostonBoston
Jack TeixeiraJack Teixeira
United StatesUnited States
MassachusettsMassachusetts