Particle.news

Download on the App Store

DIA Analyst Arrested After Trying to Pass Classified Intel to Germany

German intelligence alerted the FBI to his March outreach, leading to his detention on espionage charges.

In die Falle gelockt: Ein FBI-Agent überführte einen frustrierten Mitarbeiter des US-Militärgeheimdienstes DIA
Image

Overview

  • Nathan L., a 28-year-old Defense Intelligence Agency specialist, reached out to Germany’s BND in March to offer classified U.S. documents.
  • He cited opposition to President Trump’s policies and sought German citizenship as part of his motivation.
  • FBI operatives posed as foreign agents and monitored him at a dead drop in an Arlington park on April 30.
  • He copied at least nine top-secret files onto a USB stick before attempting the handoff and was arrested on May 29.
  • The Department of Justice has formally charged him with espionage and he remains in custody awaiting trial.