A retired US Army officer, formerly employed by the US Air Force at US Strategic Command headquarters in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, faces arrest for allegedly transmitting classified information related to national defense on a foreign online dating platform.
David Franklin Slater, a 63-year-old retired lieutenant colonel who worked in a classified capacity at USSTRATCOM, was apprehended Saturday for purportedly disclosing SECRET-level information to an individual he believed to be a woman residing in Ukraine through an unnamed foreign online dating service.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets.”
Text exchanges revealed in the indictment, reminiscent of characters from “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle,” illustrate the nature of the communication. Messages suggest Slater’s disclosure of information and the recipient’s interest in strategic matters, potentially indicating espionage-related activities.
The disclosed information, while classified at SECRET or lower levels, underscores concerns over security breaches. The context of Slater’s actions and the motivations behind them remain subject to investigation.
The circumstances leading to Slater’s arrest raise questions about his awareness of being targeted for recruitment. The possibility of external surveillance or internal awareness prompting corrective measures also warrants consideration.
The case highlights the complexities of national security breaches and underscores the vigilance required to safeguard classified information in an era of evolving espionage tactics.
