A former NSA employee has been sentenced to 262 months in prison for attempting to transmit classified documents to Russia.

A former employee of the U.S. National Security Agency has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for attempting to sell classified documents to Russia.

Jareh Sebastian DalkeA 32-year-old from Colorado Springs, a former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), was sentenced to nearly 22 years (262 months) in prison for attempting to transmit classified national defense information (NDI) to Russia. Dalke pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to transmit classified documents to a foreign agent while working at the NSA.

ManHe worked as a security information systems designer from June 6 to July 1, 2022, which gave him access to sensitive information. He shared excerpts from three classified documents, classified as Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), with a person he believed to be a Russian agent, who was actually an undercover FBI employee online.

AttemptsIt took place between August and September 2022, using an encrypted email address to demonstrate his willingness to share sensitive information. Dalke demanded $85,000 for providing all classified information and was aware of the importance of the documents for the Kremlin. He also told the undercover agent that he would pass on more files upon arriving in Washington, D.C.

I arranged it with Dalke.Regarding the transfer of additional classified information to a designated Russian agent at the Union Station in downtown Denver. A former NSA employee used a laptop and followed the instructions of his contact. Four of the transmitted files contained Top Secret information about national defense.

Dalk was arrested.FBI on Sept. 28, shortly after the files were handed over. The former NSA official admitted that the leaking of classified documents was due to a desire to harm the United States and help Russia. "This defendant, who was sworn to protect our country, believed he was selling classified national security information to a Russian agent when, in fact, he was himself retaliating against the FBI," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.

This sentence"It should serve as a stern warning to all those entrusted with the protection of national defense information that betrayal of this trust carries consequences," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "Dahlke believed he was passing classified information to an agent of the Russian government. The work of our FBI employees prevented this from happening and any potential harm to the United States."