DIA Employee Accused of Trying to Share Classified Info Over Trump Anger
A civilian IT specialist with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is under arrest, accused of trying to share national defense information with a foreign government because he was upset at the Trump Administration’s actions.
28-year-old Nathan Vilas Laatsch, who held a top-secret security clearance and worked in DIA’s Insider Threat Division, was arrested in northern Virginia. The suspect had worked at DIA since 2019.
“The conduct alleged in this case is a profound betrayal of the American people and a direct threat to our national security,” said Justice Department National Security Division head Sue J. Bai.
According to court documents, Laatsch offered classified information about intelligence products to an unnamed foreign government, which the FBI notes was a friendly government.
An email that Laatsch thought was going to that foreign government, was actually going to the FBI, after law enforcement agents received a tip.
In that email, Laatsch wrote that “recent actions of the current administration are extremely disturbing to me” and that “I do not agree or align with the values of this administration and intend to act to support the values that the United States at one time stood for.”
He went to say that because of this he was “willing to share classified information” including “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.”
After several exchanges with the undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign official, Laatsch allegedly began copying classified materials by hand at his desk, removed the information, and confirmed his intent to transmit the materials.
When Laatsch dropped a thumb drive at an agreed upon northern Virginia public park, the FBI intercepted it, finding a message from Laatsch and multiple documents marked Secret or Top Secret. The message from Laatsch indicated that he had chosen to include “a decent sample size” of classified information to “decently demonstrate the range of types of products” to which he had access.
Communications continued and on May 29, Laatsch allegedly attempted to deliver more documents. After the FBI received them, Laatsch was arrested.
“When someone entrusted with access to classified information attempts to provide it to a foreign government, it jeopardizes our intelligence capabilities, our military advantage, and the safety of our nation. The National Security Division is committed to using every tool available to uncover, disrupt, and hold accountable those who seek to harm the United States,” said DOJ National Security Division Head Bai.
The FBI Washington field office led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.