Jack Teixeira, Massachusetts Air National Guardsmen who pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents as well as other secrets about the Russia-Urken War, will face charges from the US Air Force for his crimes.
The U.S. Air Force is preparing additional charges against Teixeira, which will be presented at a hearing in May at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.
Teixeira pleaded guilty in federal court in March to six counts of maintaining and disseminating classified national defense information and accepted a 16-year prison sentence. As part of the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to charge him with further violations of the Espionage Act.
Teixeira also agreed to sit down for a debriefing with members of the intelligence community, the Department of Defense, or the Justice Department and turn over any classified materials that may still be in his possession.
Jack Teixeira pleads guilty to leaking classified Pentagon documents
National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. (Stephanie Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
but now, Air Force A U.S. Air Force spokesperson told Fox News that Airman First Class (AIC) is being sought to be charged for alleged misconduct related to his military duties.
“As an A1C, Teixeira was on Title 10 active-duty orders during the time frame charged; he is subject to criminal prosecution with both the Department of Justice and the United States Air Force under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ),” the spokesperson Said. “The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and provided evidence to the command indicating that A1C Teixeira violated the UCMJ.”
The Air Force is considering charging Teixeira with two violations of the UCMJ.
Who is Jack Teixeira, the Air National Guard man who leaked classified documents?
U.S. Air Force National Guard Airman Jack Douglas Teixeira, accused of leaking highly classified military intelligence records online, makes his initial appearance in a courtroom sketch before a federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 14, 2023. (Reuters/Margaret Small)
Under the first violation, Teixeira is accused of having knowledge of a lawful order issued against him to block and prevent him from accessing information not related to his duties. Despite the order that he was required to comply with as part of his duty, Teixeira allegedly continued to view information related to his duties between September 2022 and April 13, 2023.
The second charge accuses Teixeira of disposing of evidence during two separate cases.
In the first instance, between March 1, 2023, and April 13, 2023, the Air Force alleges that Teixeira intentionally disposed of an iPad, computer hard drive, and cell phone in order to obstruct justice in the case against him.
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This image, made from video provided by WCVB-TV, shows Jack Teixeira, in a T-shirt and shorts, being taken into custody by armed tactical agents in Dighton, Mass., on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (WCVB-TV via AP)
The second instance occurred around April 7, 2023, and the Air Force claims Teixeira instructed another person to delete discord messages sent to Teixeira, as well as intentionally obstructing justice.
The spokesperson told Fox News that a commander reviewed the evidence against Teixeira and determined that charges should be filed under the UCMJ.
“These charges will be referred to an Article 32, UMJ hearing where a neutral and detached officer will examine whether the evidence is sufficient to refer the charges for hearing at a court-martial,” the spokesperson said.
The hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2024, at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, seated second from right, appears in U.S. District Court in Boston, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Margaret Small)
Teixeira was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, where he worked as a “cyber transportation systems specialist.” He held the highest level of security clearance given by the federal government for top secret information.
Authorities say Teixeira began sharing classified documents on the online social platform Discord with a private group called “Thug Shaker Central,” which consisted of about 20 to 30 youths.
The leaked documents mainly relate to Russia invasion of ukraine But it also includes intelligence on China, the Middle East, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, and world leaders.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Soares contributed to this report.
