BOSTON — Prosecutors are set to advocate for a nearly 17-year prison sentence for a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Jack Teixeira, who has pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents concerning the war in Ukraine. In a sentencing memorandum submitted on Tuesday, they described Teixeira’s actions as one of the most significant breaches of the Espionage Act in the country’s history.
The prosecution emphasizes that Teixeira, as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and a holder of national security clearance, took an oath to defend the nation and safeguard its crucial secrets. They noted, “Teixeira violated his oath, almost every day, for over a year,” suggesting a deliberate and ongoing disregard for his responsibilities to national security and the safety of American personnel stationed abroad.
In response, Teixeira’s defense team argues that he should receive an 11-year sentence. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 12. While acknowledging the serious nature of Teixeira’s conduct over a 14-month period, his attorneys stated that he is prepared to accept any penalties deemed necessary, highlighting his acceptance of responsibility for his actions.
Teixeira, a 22-year-old from North Dighton, Massachusetts, entered a guilty plea in March, admitting to six counts relating to the illegal retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act. His arrest followed what has been characterized as one of the most significant national security leaks in recent years. During his plea, he confessed to illegally collecting sensitive government secrets and distributing them via the social media platform Discord.
While prosecutors indicated they would seek a lengthy sentence, Teixeira’s defense maintained that 11 years would appropriately reflect the need for deterrence and account for Teixeira’s life experience thus far. They portrayed him as an autistic individual who often felt isolated and spent significant time engaging with his online community, suggesting that his intentions were not to harm the United States but to inform his friends about current events.
On the other hand, prosecutors have contested the notion that Teixeira’s autism affected his understanding of right and wrong. They argued that his post-arrest assessment—indicating he has “mild, high-functioning” autism—is not particularly relevant to his case. They assert that regardless of any developmental challenges, Teixeira knowingly decided to disclose classified information and put lives at risk repeatedly.
The consequences of the leak have garnered serious concern regarding the protection of the nation’s classified information, prompting the Biden administration to act swiftly to mitigate the resulting diplomatic and military implications. The fallout from the leaks led to increased scrutiny within the Pentagon, which subsequently intensified measures to protect classified materials, as well as disciplined several service members for failing to address Teixeira’s suspicious actions adequately.
Teixeira, who served in the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, held the position of cyber transport systems specialist focusing on military communication networks. He remains in a non-paid status within the Air National Guard, according to official sources.
In the course of the leaks, Teixeira initially typed out classified documents before sharing photos of files marked with SECRET and TOP SECRET classifications. Prosecutors noted that he attempted to conceal his illicit activities prior to his arrest, with authorities later discovering a destroyed tablet, laptop, and Xbox in the dumpster outside his home.
The information he leaked provided unfiltered assessments of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, revealing sensitive details about troop movements and the support provided to Ukrainian forces. Teixeira also conceded to posting intelligence on a foreign adversary’s strategy to threaten U.S. personnel stationed abroad.
