DIA employee could face possible death penalty for sharing classified information
A government employee in Virginia accused of attempting to share classified information with a foreign country is facing serious consequences, including the possibility of life in prison or even death, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The accused, 28-year-old Nathan Laatsch, was held pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 4.
Laatsch, an IT specialist employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) since 2019, was arrested after the FBI received a tip in March that someone was willing to provide classified information to a friendly foreign government. He was a civilian employee in the DIA’s Insider Threat Division and held a top-secret security clearance, according to the DOJ.
The FBI set up an operation where Laatsch was observed depositing classified information at a northern Virginia park for the foreign government to retrieve. He was unknowingly communicating with an FBI agent, whom he believed to be a foreign government official, and confirmed that he was ready to share classified information that he transcribed onto a notepad at his desk. Laatsch allegedly exfiltrated the information from his workspace multiple times over a three-day period in preparation.
On May 1, Laatsch was observed by the FBI depositing an item at the specified location. FBI agents retrieved a thumb drive containing a message from Laatsch and multiple typed documents with information portion-marked for Secret or Top-Secret levels. His message indicated that he was sharing a sample of classified information to demonstrate the types of things he had access to.
After learning that the thumb drive had been retrieved, Laatsch allegedly sent a message to the undercover agent seeking something in exchange for providing the information. He expressed interest in citizenship for the foreign country in exchange for the information.
Between May 15 and May 27, Laatsch transcribed more information and began to remove it from the building by hiding the notes in his clothing. On May 28, he arrived at a prearranged location in northern Virginia to drop off the information for the foreign country and was arrested by the FBI.
Depending on the details of the case brought against him, Laatsch faces the possibility of life in prison or even death, according to DOJ prosecutor Gordon Kromberg. The seriousness of the charges underscores the gravity of attempting to share classified information with a foreign government.
It is essential to safeguard classified information to protect national security interests, and individuals who attempt to compromise such information face severe consequences. The case against Laatsch serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of classified material and upholding the laws governing its protection.
