Former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira, 22, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for leaking classified Pentagon documents on a social media platform. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued the sentence in Boston, concluding one of the most high-profile cases under the Espionage Act in recent history. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Massachusetts confirmed the sentencing in a statement.
Teixeira had pleaded guilty to six counts of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information, acknowledging the severity of his actions. "All of the responsibility falls on my shoulders, and I accept what that may bring," Teixeira said during the court proceedings, as reported by NBC affiliate WJAR of Providence, R.I.
Prosecutors sought a maximum sentence of 200 months-over 16 years-arguing the impact of the leaks was severe and widespread. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy described Teixeira's actions as a breach of trust with devastating repercussions. "He leaked information that the government determined was likely to cause grave damage to the United States," Levy said, highlighting that the disclosed documents contained sensitive information on troop movements, military equipment for Ukraine, and foreign adversary activities.
Teixeira, who joined the Air National Guard in 2019, had top-secret security clearance from 2021 onward, granting him access to sensitive information. Despite repeated warnings and training on the handling of classified data, he shared hundreds of documents on Discord, an online platform frequented by gamers. Federal prosecutors argued his actions were driven by a desire to impress online peers, not by an intent to harm national security.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Talwani stressed the calculated nature of Teixeira's actions. "Despite extensive training, you posted on the internet hundreds of documents over the period of a year," Talwani said, noting his awareness of the consequences. The defense, however, pointed to mitigating factors, including Teixeira's autism and social isolation during the pandemic. Defense attorneys Michael Bachrach and Brandan Kelley portrayed him as a "youthful offender" who had made a grave mistake but could be rehabilitated. They argued for a lesser sentence, citing his age and capacity for reform.
Special Agent Jodi Cohen, leading the FBI's Boston office, described Teixeira as "one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history." She detailed the scale and frequency of his actions, noting, "He transmitted it to our adversaries and our allies across the world." The sentiment was echoed by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who warned that those entrusted with protecting national security information would be held accountable for breaches.
Prosecutors emphasized that Teixeira's low-level position did not necessitate access to such sensitive materials. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey noted Teixeira's primary duty was to troubleshoot computer workstations, not to peruse classified documents. Nonetheless, he accessed and shared a vast amount of sensitive information, including material related to troop movements and foreign adversaries' plans to attack U.S. forces.
The leaks, which surfaced in March 2023, prompted swift action from federal authorities, leading to Teixeira's arrest the following month. He has been in federal custody since May. His plea agreement, signed earlier this year, involved cooperation with the Defense and Justice Departments, requiring him to return any remaining sensitive materials.
While Teixeira's federal sentencing has concluded, he faces further legal challenges. The U.S. military reserves the right to prosecute him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, potentially resulting in additional penalties. According to court documents, Teixeira is currently negotiating a disposition for the military case.
Levy underscored the enduring impact of the defendant's actions. "We won't know the full extent of Jack Teixeira's damage for several years," he said, emphasizing the potential long-term harm to national security and international relations.
