Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison by a federal judge
Associated PressBOSTON — A federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison Tuesday for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine, actions prosecutors said put the country’s national security at risk, endangered other military members and damaged U.S. relationships with its allies. “Today, Mr. Teixeira has paid a very heavy price for laws he broke, for the incredible damage that he caused,” Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said afterward. Anyone who willfully threatens our national security by illegally disseminating classified information will face very serious repercussions.” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, told reporters the sentence held Teixeira accountable for “being one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history.” “This former Air National Guardsman grossly betrayed our country and the oath he took to safeguard its secrets in order to boost his ego and impress his friends,” Cohen said. Outside court, Teixeira’s attorney Michael Bachrach called it a “very difficult day” for his client and said Talwani imposed a “very severe punishment.” Still, he said, it was better than taking the case to trial, where Teixeira would have faced 30 years to life behind bars.