U.S. Airman Jack Teixeira Sentenced to 15 Years for Leaking Pentagon Secrets

U.S. Airman Jack Teixeira, the 22-year-old responsible for leaking sensitive Pentagon documents, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The decision, delivered by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, highlighted the severity of handling and disclosing highly classified information, noting that Teixeira had received extensive training and awareness on the consequences of such actions.

Despite this, Teixeira posted hundreds of classified documents on the social media platform Discord for over a year. The court expressed regret that the individuals responsible for preventing such leaks failed to fulfill their duties, a matter the judge deemed unfortunate.

Federal prosecutors had argued that Teixeira’s actions were among the most serious violations of U.S. espionage laws, pointing out that he gained access to sensitive materials starting in January 2022, including classified information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as details concerning Israel, Palestine, Syria, Iran, and China.

Teixeira was cautioned twice by senior officers in 2022 about his potential mishandling of sensitive information. Prosecutors had requested a 17-year sentence, citing the gravity of the leaks.

Teixeira’s defense team argued for a lesser sentence, citing his autism and preference for isolation, asserting that he never intended to harm the United States. The airman, arrested in April of the previous year, admitted to his actions in March and expressed remorse, offering an apology in court.

Defense lawyer Michael Bachrach also mentioned a potential agreement with the Air Force, which would have provided Teixeira with certain benefits in exchange for accepting the charges. However, the Air Force denied any such agreement.

Before his arrest, Teixeira served as an Airman First Class at the Otis Air National Guard Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, working in cyber defense operations. Despite his lower rank, Teixeira had clearance for highly classified materials.