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Ex-L3Harris Trenchant Boss Pleads Guilty to Selling U.S. Cyber-Exploits to Russian Broker

Sentencing follows a plea that prosecutors say cost a D.C. contractor over $35 million.

Overview

  • Peter Williams, 39, a former L3Harris Trenchant executive, pleaded guilty in Washington, D.C., to two counts of theft of trade secrets.
  • The Justice Department says he stole at least eight national-security cyber‑exploit components between 2022 and 2025 and sold them to a Russian cyber‑tools broker that markets to the Russian government.
  • Prosecutors describe written contracts, encrypted transfers of the tools, and cryptocurrency payments that included obligations for follow‑on support.
  • Authorities say he profited by about $1.3 million and spent on luxury goods, and they are seeking forfeiture of a D.C. home, bank and crypto funds, and more than 20 watches.
  • Each count carries up to 10 years in prison as prosecutors cite losses exceeding $35 million for the D.C.-based company, with sentencing scheduled for January 2026 and the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office leading the investigation.