13th April, 2023
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Jack Teixeira, suspected to have leaked Pentagon’s classified documents.
Teixeira, 21, is a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
His arrest comes following a fast-moving search by the US government for the identity of the leaker who posted classified documents to a social media platform popular with video gamers, the CNN reports.
The suspect is being implicated in the leak of dozens of sensitive US intelligence documents — the biggest national security breach in at least 10 years.
According to New York Post, law enforcement officers swarmed the 21-year-old’s home in North Dighton, Mass., about 20 miles east of Providence, RI, hours after the New York Times reported that investigators wanted to speak with Teixeira, who was reportedly stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The news portal reports that helicopter footage showed Teixeria, clad in red basketball shorts and a gray t-shirt, surrendering to what appeared to be camouflaged-clad FBI agents.
The FBI, in a statement said it had made an arrest is continuing to conduct authorized law enforcement activity at a residence in North Dighton, Massachusetts, saying that “As this is an ongoing matter, we cannot provide further comment at this time.”
According to the CNN, the FBI had narrowed the number of people who they believe could be responsible for the leaks and had been conducting interviews in recent days.
While there’s a large number of people who had access to the documents, investigators have been able to home in on a small number for closer scrutiny thanks to the forensic trail left by the person who posted the documents.
Investigators are working on building a case for prosecution, people familiar with the matter say.