Another shocking betrayal of national security has come to light, as an Air Force employee has been charged with transmitting classified information to his Ukrainian girlfriend.
David Franklin Slater, 63, allegedly shared details about Russia’s war with Ukraine with his supposed love interest, who he met on a foreign online dating platform.
As a retired Army lieutenant colonel, Slater held a Top Secret security clearance and attended briefings about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to court documents, Slater’s Ukrainian girlfriend, who is referred to as his “secret informant love,” showed a disturbing level of interest in the military operation. She repeatedly requested specific details about the war effort and even referred to Slater as her “secret agent.”
A US Air Force civilian employee [David Franklin Slater] with Top Secret security clearance, working at Offutt Air Force Base was arrested on March 2 for allegedly conspiring to transmit classified national defense information from briefings on the Ukraine/Russia conflict, to a… pic.twitter.com/acL8fakR0V
— 𝕔hi𝓁𝓁iຖ໐iˢ (@chiIIum) March 5, 2024
The messages exchanged between Slater and his girlfriend reveal her deep curiosity about the war, even asking about a potential ‘secret plan’ to help her country.
The Department of Justice has emphasized the serious nature of Slater’s alleged actions, which could put our nation at risk. He knowingly and willfully transmitted sensitive information that could compromise our military operations and endanger the lives of our troops. This is a blatant violation of his duty and a breach of trust.
Thankfully, the FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations are actively investigating this case. The seriousness of this matter cannot be overstated, and those responsible must be held accountable. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel has reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing individuals who put our country’s safety at risk.
If convicted, Slater could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count related to the conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information.
