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Jack Teixeira: US airman charged over Pentagon documents leak Jack Teixeira: US airman charged over Pentagon documents leak
(about 1 hour later)
A court sketch of Jack Teixeira's appearance in federal court on FridayA court sketch of Jack Teixeira's appearance in federal court on Friday
The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents has been officially charged in a court appearance in Boston.The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents has been officially charged in 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.
After a shout of "love you, Jack" from a person in the courtroom, the defendant replied "you too, dad".After a shout of "love you, Jack" from a person in the courtroom, the defendant replied "you too, dad".
Mr Teixeira faces up to 15 years in prison over charges of unauthorised transmission of defence information.Mr Teixeira faces up to 15 years in prison over charges of unauthorised transmission of defence information.
He is also charged with the unauthorised removal and retention of classified documents.He is also charged with the unauthorised 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 airman faces up to 10 years in prison for the first charge, and up to five years in prison for the second.
The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies.The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies.
The leaks embarrassed Washington and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information.The leaks embarrassed Washington and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information.
What do Jack Teixeira's charges tell us?What do Jack Teixeira's charges tell us?
What punishment will he face?What punishment will he face?
What we know about the US leaks suspectWhat we know about the US leaks suspect
Mr Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday.Mr Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday.
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.
Mr Teixeira remains in custody until his detention trial on 19 April. US prosecutors have asked that he remain detained until his trial at a later date.Mr Teixeira remains in custody until his detention trial on 19 April. US prosecutors have asked that he remain detained until his trial at a later date.
The BBC's US news partner CBS reported that as the hearing ended, a man in the courtroom shouted, "love you, Jack".The 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.Mr Teixeira did not look back, but responded, "you too, dad," according to a CNN reporter inside the courtroom.
US President Joe Biden thanked law enforcement in a statement for their "rapid action" to investigate the source of the leaks. He said he has directed US military and intelligence to secure and limit distribution of any more sensitive information.US President Joe Biden thanked law enforcement in a statement for their "rapid action" to investigate the source of the leaks. He said he has directed US military and intelligence to secure and limit distribution of any more sensitive information.
Watch: How damaging are 21-year-old Jack Teixeira's US intelligence leaks?
Watch: How damaging are 21-year-old Jack Teixeira's US intelligence leaks?
'Top secret clearance''Top secret clearance'
The leaked 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.The leaked 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.
The affidavit provided by FBI Special Agent Patrick Lueckenhoff to the court stated that the suspect began posting the leaked documents some time in December.The affidavit provided by FBI Special Agent Patrick Lueckenhoff to the court stated that the suspect began posting the leaked documents some time in December.
The initial leaks were in the form of paragraphs of text, according to the affidavit, but Mr Teixeira then moved on to posting photographs of documents in January.The initial leaks were in the form of paragraphs of text, according to the affidavit, but Mr Teixeira then moved on to posting photographs of documents in January.
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 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.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.
Watch: How damaging are 21-year-old Jack Teixeira's US intelligence leaks?
Watch: How damaging are 21-year-old Jack Teixeira's US intelligence leaks?
The affidavit 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.The affidavit 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".Mr Luekenoff added the suspect "would have had to acknowledge that the unauthorized disclosure of protected information could 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.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.Prosecutors alleged that Mr Teixeira searched the term to learn whether US intelligence had information on the identity of the person behind the leaks.
More Pentagon leaks coverage:More Pentagon leaks coverage:
Eight things we learned from the leaked filesEight things we learned from the leaked files
Leaks suggest US spied on UN chiefLeaks suggest US spied on UN chief
How secret files on Ukraine spread, then disappearedHow secret files on Ukraine spread, then disappeared
Western special forces inside Ukraine, leak showsWestern special forces inside Ukraine, leak shows
Congressman Hines: 'It was the lowest of low-tech leaks'
Congressman Hines: 'It was the lowest of low-tech leaks'
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Pentagon leaksPentagon leaks
BostonBoston
Jack TeixeiraJack Teixeira
United StatesUnited States
MassachusettsMassachusetts