An IT specialist with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was arrested after attempting to share classified information with a foreign government.
Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, offered to provide information to a “friendly foreign government,” the Justice Department explained. Laatsch wrote in the email to the foreign agent that he did not “agree or align with the values of this administration” and was “willing to share classified information.” The information included “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.”
The FBI became aware of the activity in March after receiving a tip on the development.
Laatsch then communicated with an FBI agent who posed as an official of the foreign government, where he “began transcribing classified information to a notepad at his desk and, over the course of approximately three days, repeatedly exfiltrated the information from his workspace,” the DOJ said.
The FBI then conducted an operation where they observed Laatsch appearing at a specified location and depositing a thumb drive containing Secret and Top Secret information. The following day, Laatsch said he was interested in “citizenship for your country,” stating he did not “expect things here to improve in the long term.”
Laatsch attempted to share more information on numerous occasions, including May 14 and May 29, the date of his arrest.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the case “underscores the persistent risk of insider threats.” He emphasized the FBI “remains steadfast in protecting our national security and thanks our law enforcement partners for their critical support.”
