Air Force staff member charged with leaking classified data on overseas dating platform

An Air Force employee is facing charges for sharing classified information on a foreign dating website. Prosecutors allege that David Franklin Slater, a retired Army lieutenant colonel with a Top Secret security clearance at US Strategic Command, shared sensitive details about Russia's war in Ukraine with someone posing as a woman living in Ukraine.

Slater reportedly attended classified briefings on the conflict in Ukraine between February and April 2022, following Russia's invasion. He then proceeded to send this classified information to the individual he believed to be a Ukrainian woman. The communication took place through email and the messaging platform of the foreign dating website, although the specific platform is not mentioned in the indictment.

Slater was taken into custody on Saturday, as announced by the Justice Department in a news release. CNN was unable to find out who his lawyer is at the moment.

The individual Slater was in contact with, known only as "Co-Conspirator 1," called him "Sweet Dave" and "my secret agent" in their messages, as stated in the indictment.

Prosecutors say that one of Slater's partners messaged him around March 11, 2022, asking, "Hey, what's on the screens in that special room? It looks really cool."

Just a few days later, the indictment states that the partner sent another message saying, "You're my secret informant love! How did your meetings go? Were they successful?"

The indictment reveals that the co-conspirator communicated with Slater for almost two months, consistently seeking more classified information. In April 2022, Slater allegedly received a message stating, "You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, I’m sure there is a lot of interesting news there?"

In exchange for these messages, prosecutors claim that Slater disclosed classified details about military targets in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and Russian military capabilities involved in the invasion.

CNN has contacted the Air Force and the Army to get their comments.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen from the Justice Department’s National Security Division stated that Slater intentionally shared classified national defense information with another person, showing a blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to protect its secrets.

Slater is charged with one count of conspiracy to disclose national defense information and two counts of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information. If found guilty of all charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000.

Prosecutors claim that before joining the Air Force as a civilian, Slater had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army and retired at the end of 2020. Just eight months after retiring, he started working at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the headquarters of US Strategic Command, which oversees the management of the country's nuclear weapons arsenal.

Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office expressed concern about the risks posed when individuals betray the trust placed in them to protect our nation's intelligence.

Slater is set to appear in federal court in Nebraska for the first time on Tuesday.

Editor's P/S:

The recent arrest of an Air Force employee for sharing classified information with a foreign dating website is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by foreign intelligence threats. It is deeply disturbing that individuals with access to sensitive national security information would prioritize personal connections over their oath to protect their country. The unauthorized disclosure of classified details about military targets and Russian military capabilities not only compromises national security but also puts the lives of our troops at risk. It is essential that those entrusted with such information uphold the highest standards of integrity and loyalty.

The indictment's revelation that the co-conspirator consistently sought more classified information and referred to Slater as their "secret agent" raises concerns about the potential intent behind these interactions. Was this an attempt to gather intelligence for a foreign government or simply an act of personal betrayal? The ongoing investigation and court proceedings will shed light on the motives of those involved and ensure that the full extent of the damage is understood.