the Massachusetts Air National Guard member who caused an international uproar when he leaked highly classified documents about the war in Ukraine pleaded guilty to military charges of obstructing justice at his court-martial Thursday The plea agreement calls for dishonorable discharge and no jail time which was expected to occur later Thursday afternoon Teixeira was already sentenced last year to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years READ MORE: Pentagon secrets leaker Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison Military prosecutors said before the court-martial at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts that charges of disobeying orders and obstructing justice were appropriate given that obeying orders is the “absolute core” of the military argued Monday that the obstructing justice charge should either be dismissed or go unpunished saying it amounts to double jeopardy because it already factored into Teixeira’s November sentencing A plea agreement was accepted by both sides that drops the disobeying orders charge Teixeira pleaded guilty to the obstruction charge admitting that he used a hammer to destroy a cellphone a computer hard drive and an iPad after seeing some news reports of the leaked documents He also admitted to telling his friend to destroy messages exchanged on a communication app “I was scared about a potential law enforcement investigation into me and my friends,” he said in court Thursday Teixeira’s parents said he took an early interest in the military as a child “I was excited about it,” the elder Teixeira said “It was a good option for Jack.” He said it gave him direction and the chance to see the world “He made a mistake,” his mother The leaks exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine including information about troop movements in Ukraine and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops The leaked documents also revealed assessments of the defense capabilities of Taiwan and internal arguments in Britain Teixeira also admitted to posting information about a U.S Teixeira worked as an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks His lawyers described Teixeira as an autistic isolated individual who spent most of his time online © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins In this Special Report episode of the AI Agent & Copilot Podcast, Thales Teixeira, Co-Founder, Decoupling.co shares his experiences in research and education pertaining to entrepreneurship AI Agent & Copilot Summit is an AI-first event to define opportunities, impact, and outcomes with Microsoft Copilot and agents. Building on its 2025 success, the 2026 event takes place March 17-19 in San Diego. Get more details. Ask Cloud Wars AI Agent about this analysis John Siefert is the CEO of Dynamics Communities and Cloud Wars and community-based focus of the organization by collaborating with colleagues Siefert has worked in multiple leadership positions including President roles at Questex and Informa Siefert’s passion for creating unique content and event-based programming has helped to build some of the largest media brands in the B2B market serving the business technology and health/nutrition categories   Contact John Siefert ... Join Today Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Nate Raymond reports on the federal judiciary and litigation. He can be reached at nate.raymond@thomsonreuters.com. , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Discover how Jack Teixeira’s guilty plea over Pentagon leaks has shaken national security. Learn about the investigation, impact, and future of Pentagon security measures. Pentagon Leaks Crisis: Jack Teixeira's Guilty Plea and What It Means for National Security A breach of trust. A national security nightmare. Jack Teixeira’s guilty plea marks a turning point in one of the most shocking Pentagon leaks in recent history. In 2025, the Pentagon was rocked by a series of classified document leaks, most notably involving Jack Teixeira, a former member of the U.S. National Guard. The leak of sensitive military documents exposed critical information about U.S. operations, international strategies, and military intelligence. This breach has sparked widespread public concern, political outrage, and serious questions about how the Pentagon handles sensitive materials. Jack Teixeira recently pleaded guilty to charges related to leaking classified Pentagon documents. These documents, which were shared online, revealed sensitive details about military tactics and operations that could have significant implications for national security. Teixeira's Role: Teixeira, who worked for the Pentagon as a National Guard member, used online platforms to share these highly classified documents. The Impact: The leak exposed vulnerabilities in how the Pentagon stores and shares information, sending shockwaves through U.S. military leadership and its allies. The Pentagon leaks were traced back to Jack Teixeira sharing the documents on Discord, an online messaging platform primarily used by gaming communities. This raised alarming questions about how secure online communication platforms are, especially when dealing with sensitive government information. Discord's Role: The platform, typically known for gaming chats, became a tool for leaking top-secret Pentagon documents. Security Concerns: This breach highlighted the need for stronger security measures on social platforms, as even encrypted channels could become susceptible to unauthorized leaks. Following the leak, Congress launched a bipartisan investigation into the Pentagon breach, with lawmakers from both parties expressing deep concern. The investigation is focused on understanding how Jack Teixeira could gain access to such sensitive information and how to prevent future breaches. Bipartisan Unity: Lawmakers from both parties united in their outrage over the Pentagon leak. Investigations: An official inquiry was initiated to evaluate security lapses and recommend stronger safeguards for classified data. The leak of Pentagon documents has ignited nationwide anger. The incident has caused distrust not only among the public but also between the Pentagon and its global allies. Jack Teixeira’s actions have left many questioning the security measures in place to protect sensitive information. National Security: The leak compromised military strategies and operations, putting U.S. security at risk. Global Relations: Allies of the U.S. have raised concerns about the integrity of shared intelligence. Political Trust: Both the public and Congress demand stronger actions from the Pentagon to prevent similar incidents. As the Pentagon works to rebuild trust, there are key steps being discussed to prevent future leaks: Jack Teixeira’s guilty plea has marked a critical moment in the Pentagon leak scandal, with serious consequences for national security. The Pentagon must address the security vulnerabilities exposed by this incident to restore public and political trust. The breach has highlighted the importance of securing sensitive data, even on platforms like Discord, which were not designed for classified information sharing. The Pentagon has a lot of work ahead to recover from this massive breach. With Jack Teixeira pleading guilty, the focus now shifts to ensuring stronger safeguards to protect national security. As investigations continue, the Pentagon will likely face increased scrutiny from both lawmakers and the public. Will the Pentagon be able to prevent future leaks, or are there more cracks in the system waiting to be uncovered? Only time will tell, but for now, the fallout from this breach will be felt for years to come. Is the Pentagon ready to strengthen its data security measures? How can we protect sensitive information in an increasingly digital world? These are questions that need urgent answers. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story. The Pentagon leak involves Jack Teixeira, a former National Guard member, who shared classified Pentagon documents online, exposing sensitive military intelligence. Jack Teixeira was responsible for leaking classified Pentagon documents to online platforms, which led to a massive national security breach. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to the charges. The Pentagon leak compromised crucial military operations and strategies, putting the safety of U.S. personnel and international relations at risk, causing public and political outrage. Jack Teixeira used online platforms like Discord to share classified Pentagon documents, exposing how easily sensitive information can be accessed and leaked in the digital age. Congress has launched a bipartisan investigation into the Pentagon leak, focusing on how it occurred and ensuring stronger safeguards are implemented to prevent future breaches. In response to the leak, the Pentagon is reviewing its data security protocols, planning stricter vetting for employees with access to classified information, and improving monitoring of online platforms. Jack Teixeira faces significant legal consequences, including a lengthy prison sentence, following his guilty plea for leaking classified Pentagon documents. The main concerns regarding the Pentagon leak include compromised national security, potential damage to diplomatic relations, and the vulnerability of online communication platforms for sharing sensitive data. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners All rights reserved @ 2025 Nishtya Infotech (India) Ltd. Page unavailable.This page either does not exist or is currently unavailable From here you can either hit the "back" button on your browser to return to the previous page, or visit the ABCNews.com Home Page You can also search for something on our site below Prior to SIUE: Pitched at Liberty HS in Liberty Joseph’s Mustangs in the MINK league in the summer of 2024 There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Teixeira pleaded guilty last year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act. He faces additional military charges of disobeying orders and obstructing justice in the court-martial. Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. His lawyer, Lt. Col. Bradley Poronsky, argued that the obstructing justice charge should either be dismissed or go unpunished, saying it amounts to double jeopardy because it already factored into Teixeira's November sentencing. Lt. Col. Peter Havern for the prosecution argued against dismissal, saying the charge involves different conduct at a different time than the acts that obstructed justice in the federal case. Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox with our News Headlines newsletter. Judge Vicki Marcus took the defense motion under advisement and said the proceedings would resume on Thursday. Regarding the disobeying orders charge, the court acknowledged there is a plea agreement but neither side offered any details. The court is expected to go over the details of the agreement with Teixeira on Thursday. Teixeira, 22, remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status for now. He wore his military uniform for the proceedings at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts and didn't comment other than telling the judge he understood the process. Several family members attended. Military prosecutors had said the court-martial is appropriate given that obeying orders is the "absolute core" of the military. Teixeira's lawyers had argued further action would amount to prosecuting him twice for the same offense. The leaks exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia's war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine, and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted to posting information about a U.S. adversary's plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas. Before he was sentenced last year in Boston, Teixeira showed little emotion as he stood in court and apologized for illegally collecting some of the nation's most sensitive secrets and sharing them with other users on the social media platform Discord. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused," Teixeira said. "I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring." His mother and others had submitted letters to the federal judge seeking leniency. "I know Jack deeply regrets his actions and is ready to accept his punishment for his part in this situation," wrote his mother, Dawn Dufault. "While I understand the severity of his charges and the importance of ensuring justice, I implore you, Your Honor, to consider Jack's true nature and his unique challenges, as I have observed over the years." Teixeira's lawyers described him as an autistic, isolated individual who spent most of his time online, especially with his Discord community, and never meant to harm the United States. "His intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation," they wrote. "He needed someone to share the experience with." Prosecutors countered that Teixeira did not suffer from any intellectual disability and that his postarrest diagnosis of "mild, high-functioning" autism was of "questionable relevance." The security breach forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks also embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira’s suspicious behavior. Teixeira, of Dighton, Massachusetts, was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts. He worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, which is essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks. Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest — authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and an Xbox gaming console in a dumpster. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. (AP video by Rodrique Ngowi/produced by Javier Arciga) FILE - This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston, April 14, 2023. (Margaret Small via AP, File) Jack Michael Teixeira, center, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira. arrives at federal court for his son’s sentencing hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston,. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) FILE - Jack Michael Teixeira, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, arrives at federal court, on March 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) Michael Bachrach, defense attorney for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, faces reporters outside federal court following a sentencing hearing for Teixeira, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Acting U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy, right, faces reporters as Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, left, looks on following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, faces reporters during a news conference following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Acting U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy faces reporters following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Thomas Dufault, center right, stepfather of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, departs federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston, following a sentencing hearing for Jack Teixeira. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Thomas Dufault, front, stepfather of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, departs federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston, following a sentencing hearing for Jack Teixeira. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison Tuesday for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine, actions prosecutors said put the country’s national security at risk, endangered other military members and damaged U.S. relationships with its allies. Jack Teixeira had pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, nearly a year after his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years. Wearing an orange jumpsuit in court, he showed no reaction as he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. “Today, Mr. Teixeira has paid a very heavy price for laws he broke, for the incredible damage that he caused,” Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said afterward. “This significant sentence sends a powerful message to every individual who holds a top secret clearance. Anyone who willfully threatens our national security by illegally disseminating classified information will face very serious repercussions.” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, told reporters the sentence held Teixeira accountable for “being one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history.” “This former Air National Guardsman grossly betrayed our country and the oath he took to safeguard its secrets in order to boost his ego and impress his friends,” Cohen said. “This was not a victimless crime. The exceptionally grave damage he caused will impact our national security for decades to come.” The leaks exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine, and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S. adversary’s plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas. Outside court, Teixeira’s attorney Michael Bachrach called it a “very difficult day” for his client and said Talwani imposed a “very severe punishment.” Still, he said, it was better than taking the case to trial, where Teixeira would have faced 30 years to life behind bars. “It’s a significant sentence that will deter others,” Bachrach said. “But it’s also one that will allow him to self-reflect and grow. And we fully expect that he will be doing so.” Before he was sentenced, Teixeira showed little emotion as he stood in court and apologized for his actions. The 22-year-old had previously admitted he illegally collected some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets and shared them with other users on the social media platform Discord. “I wanted to say I’m sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused,” Teixeira said. “I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring.”. Afterward, Teixeira hugged one of his attorneys, looked toward his family and smiled before being led from court. His family left without commenting to reporters but his mother and others did submit letters to the court seeking leniency. “I know Jack deeply regrets his actions and is ready to accept his punishment for his part in this situation,” his mother, Dawn Dufault, wrote. “While I understand the severity of his charges and the importance of ensuring justice, I implore you, Your Honor, to consider Jack’s true nature and his unique challenges, as I have observed over the years.” Earlier in court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan told Talwani that 200 months — little more than 16 1/2 years - was appropriate given the “historic” damage from Teixeira’s breach in aiding America’s adversaries and hurting its allies. He also said such a sentence would send a message to anyone in the military who might consider similar conduct. “It will be a cautionary tale for the men and women in the U.S. military,” Dolan said. “They are going to be told this is what happens if you break your promise, if you betray your country ... They will know the defendant’s name. They will know the sentence the court imposes.” But Bachrach told the judge Tuesday that 11 years was sufficient and would amount to half of the 22-year-old’s life. “It is a significant, harsh and difficult sentence, one that will not be easy to serve,” Bachrach said, adding that Talwani should consider that his client was diagnosed with autism. Defense attorneys had described Teixeira as an autistic, isolated individual who spent most of his time online, especially with his Discord community. They said his actions, though criminal, were never meant to “harm the United States,” and he had no prior criminal record. “Instead, his intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation,” they wrote. “To Jack, the Ukraine war was his generation’s World War II or Iraq, and he needed someone to share the experience with.” Prosecutors countered in court filngs that Teixeira did not suffer from any intellectual disability and understood what he was doing was wrong. They wrote that his post-arrest diagnosis of “mild, high-functioning” autism was of “questionable relevance” to the proceedings. Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts. He worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, which is essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks. He remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status, an Air Force official said. Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest, and authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and an Xbox gaming console in a dumpster at his house. From here you can either hit the "back" button on your browser to return to the previous page, or visit the ABCNews.com Home Page. You can also search for something on our site below. we can't find the page that you are looking for Don't let that stop you from visiting some of our other great related content protected by reCAPTCHA.css-trhdh3::after{background-color:#fa9000;}EXPLORE MOREblinking-dotLive updatesLive updates, Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 41 as Hamas rejects ‘conquest’ threatsUN and humanitarian aid groups say Israel proposed ‘dangerous’ ration ‘scheme’ after nine-week siege the California federal penitentiary has been shut for more than six decades Francis-era reforms that saw a diverse group of cardinals join the mix make his successor nearly impossible to call The attack comes as Moscow prepares to welcome foreign leaders from China and Brazil Reports say Israel now eyeing occupation of entire enclave control of aid and possible expulsion of Palestinians A study gives clues to cosmic origin of gold and heavy elements and they were created earlier than we thought Israel has used human rights terminology to whitewash killing civilians The EU is expected to lure US researchers looking to relocate in the wake of Trump’s attacks on universities Top UN court says it does not have authority to rule on case accusing UAE of arming Rapid Support Forces paramilitary BOSTON — A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years Brought into court wearing an orange jumpsuit he showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by U.S "I wanted to say I'm sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused," Teixeira said referencing the "maelstrom" he caused to friends "I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring," he said Teixeira hugged one of his attorneys and looked towards his family and smiled before being led out of court The security breach raised alarm over America's ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira's suspicious behavior Attorney Jared Dolan told Talwani that 200 months — or a little more than 16 1/2 years — was appropriate given the "historic" damage caused by Teixeira's conduct that aided adversaries of the United States and hurt the country's allies He also said that recommendation by prosecutors would send a message to anyone in the military who might consider similar conduct "It will be a cautionary tale for the men and women in the U.S "They are going to be told this is what happens if you break your promise They will know the sentence the court imposes." But Teixeira's attorney Michael Bachrach told the judge Tuesday that 11 years was sufficient one that will not be easy to serve," Bachrach said "It will serve as an extreme deterrent to anyone particularly young servicemen That is enough to keep them deterred from committing serious conduct." Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, had pleaded guilty in March to six counts of the willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act That came nearly a year after he was arrested in the most consequential national security leak in years The 22-year-old admitted that he illegally collected some of the nation's most sensitive secrets and shared them with other users on the social media platform Discord prosecutors said they would seek a prison term at the high end of the sentencing range But the defense wrote in their sentencing memorandum earlier that the 11 years "would be essentially equal to half the life that Jack has lived thus far." His attorneys had described Teixeira as an autistic were never meant to "harm the United States." He also had no prior criminal record his intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation," the attorneys wrote the Ukraine war was his generation's World War II or Iraq and he needed someone to share the experience with." Prosecutors in court filings countered that Teixeira did not suffer from any intellectual disability that would prevent him from knowing right from wrong high-functioning" autism was of "questionable relevance" to the proceedings who was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts worked as a cyber transport systems specialist which is essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks He remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest laptop and an Xbox gaming console in a dumpster at his house The leak exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia's war in Ukraine Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S Become an NPR sponsor Massachusetts air national guard member admitted leaking classified military documents about Ukraine over Discord A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts air national guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years He was brought into court in an orange jumpsuit and showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by the US district judge Indira Talwani Earlier in the hearing he apologized before the judge Prosecutors had originally requested a 17-year sentence for Teixeira saying he “perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history” Defense attorneys had sought an 11-year sentence they acknowledged that their client “made a terrible decision which he repeated over 14 months” were never meant to “harm the United States” The security breach raised alarm over the US’s ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout There are currently no upcoming/recent events Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Photo by: John McGillenTeixeira-Dasilva Earns Big Ten Sportsmanship Award November 08 Grad transfer one of USC's top two finishers in each of her competitions Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira This image made from video provided by WCVB-TV being taken into custody by armed tactical agents on Thursday After pleading guilty to military charges of obstructing justice the 23-year-old acknowledged he knew his actions were illegal but felt he needed to share the truth about how the Biden administration was misleading the American public about the war in Ukraine Russian or Ukrainian life against this senseless money-grab war his politicized comments a stark contrast to the contrite apology he issued at his federal sentencing “I am comfortable in how history will remember my actions,” he added Judge Vicki Marcus agreed to the plea deal and sentenced Teixeira to a dishonorable discharge and no jail time She rejected a prosecution request for a written reprimand and a demotion in rank for him Military prosecutors said before the court-martial at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts that charges of disobeying orders and obstructing justice were appropriate given that obeying orders is the “absolute core” of the military prosecutors Thursday said Teixiera was intent on obstructing the FBI from finding the truth and was scared because he knew he had done something wrong poor training and a lack of supervision contributed to his actions prosecutors said they felt the dishonorable discharge still sent a powerful message “The dishonorable discharge was the important issue for us because I think it accurately reflects what his actions were Havern talked about how they worked closely with the Department of Justice on the case “There was a piece of it where we said we need a military punishment as well and that is why the dishonorable discharge was important to us as an institution to tell our airmen to tell our the civilians and Americans we take this very seriously,” he said “We are going to make sure your military record reflects it for these actions We are not just going to rely on a civil conviction.” a computer hard drive and an iPad after seeing news reports of the leaked documents “I was scared about a potential law enforcement investigation into me and my friends,” he said in court Thursday who goes by the same name but with a different middle initial “I was excited about it,” the elder Teixeira said ”It was a good option for Jack.” Asked about whether the conviction changed his feelings for Teixeira described how they were a military family and how her son was passionate about all things military from an early age She admitted basic training for Teixeira was a disappointment since it happened during the pandemic and how an ever-changing schedule for Teixeira who as part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts But she also said the conviction hadn’t changed her feelings fo her son The leaks exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine The documents also revealed assessments of the defense capabilities of Taiwan and internal arguments in Britain An image of Jack Teixeira that appears in the FRONTLINE/Washington Post documentary "The Discord Leaks." whose online leaking of government secrets on everything from the Ukraine war to Iran’s nuclear program went undetected by authorities for months is the latest development in a case that raised major questions about the military’s vetting process and how classified information involving U.S The Washington Post and FRONTLINE investigated Teixeira and the massive leak of national security secrets in the December 2023 documentary The Discord Leaks From an award-winning team that included FRONTLINE directors Thomas Jennings and Annie Wong and Post reporters Shane Harris the documentary explored how more than 300 pages that included highly classified government information came to be leaked on Discord a privacy-oriented platform popular with teenage gamers The film explored in greater detail Teixeira’s online world and his history of violent threats and examined why a young man with a troubled past was able to get a security clearance said of Teixeira’s case in the documentary “There were countless missed opportunities we have one of the worst leak cases in modern times.” The day before the documentary aired, the Air Force informed Congress that it had disciplined 15 Air National Guard members in connection with failures that helped enable Teixeira to share highly classified information The film raised tough questions about how the military’s vetting process addresses applicants’ internet activity “The military vetting system is pretty robust and it catches a lot of stuff,” Lt director of the Air National Guard from 2016 until his retirement in 2020 told The Post and FRONTLINE in the documentary But he acknowledged “it’s not perfect and some things come through.” Drawing on months of groundbreaking reporting by The Post and new collaborative reporting with FRONTLINE — including exclusive on-camera interviews with Teixeira’s close online confidantes and with Discord’s VP of trust and safety — the documentary also offers a powerful look at online radicalization and the role of platforms like Discord in one of the largest leaks of classified information in recent history Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L She was a member of many organizations including the Alter Society of Newman a member of PFSA for more than 30 years and a member of FDES in Newman for more than 55 years Gilbert (Linda) Teixeira and Don (Brenda) Teixeira 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren donations can be made to Our Lady of Miracles Catholic School A Visitation will be held at 10:00am to 11:00am followed by a Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at The Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel The top-secret document leaker from Dighton makes strikingly different statements in two different courtrooms But he didn't say any of that when he faced a federal judge just months ago Nearly two years after his national news-making arrest at home in Dighton intelligence leaker Teixeira lets loose on his motivation and is angling for President Trump to get him off the hook In an unsworn statement -- so not under oath -- the National Guardsman said at his military court martial at a Massachusetts air base Thursday that "It was my intent to expose and correct the lies manufactured and perpetuated by the Biden-administration and force-fed to the American people by the mainstream media." Teixeira said it without the threat of more prison time hanging over his head as he has reached a plea deal with military prosecutors that spares him any more time behind bars The documents included sensitive intelligence on the Russia-Ukraine war. When standing in front of a judge then -- before he learned his punishment -- Teixeira didn't say a whole lot. He said, "I'm sorry for all of the harm that I've brought" and "I understand that all of the responsibility and consequences falls upon my shoulders alone and I accept whatever that may bring." And his lawyer claimed at that time that Teixeira was just a lonely kid with autism who was only trying to impress friends in his social media community and didn't intend for the classified documents to go any further. Whether he feels free to speak his mind or is appealing to Trump's history of pardoning those who commit crimes in his name, Teixeira is taking a much different tack. He said Americans were being misled about the Russia-Ukraine war and that "the Department of Justice was politicized and used as a weapon against President Trump, myself, and many other patriots." Teixeira said: "I believe there is a deep state that works to usurp the authority of President Trump" and "I see dignity and honor in President Trump and his vision for America." Teixeira said he is asking Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel to review his prosecution and punishment. But he said his punishment is worth it if he saved even one life from what he called a "money-grab war." Teixeira said he fears "an untimely death under suspicious circumstances." The U.S. Air Force said in a statement Wednesday that he will be tried at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts but no date has been set. An attorney for Teixeira didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment. At a May hearing, military prosecutors said a court-martial is appropriate given that obeying orders is the “absolute core” of the military. But Teixeira’s lawyers argued that further action would amount to prosecuting him twice for the same offense. Teixeira, who was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks. Teixeira was arrested just over a year ago in the most consequential national security leak in years. The stunning security breach raised alarm over America’s ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced President Joe Biden’s administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members it found had intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira’s suspicious behavior. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. An undated picture shows Jack Douglas Teixeira, a member of the Air National Guard who was arrested by the FBI over his alleged involvement in leaks online of classified documents, posing for a selfie at an unidentified location. Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for leaking classified national security documents online, on Thursday pleaded guilty to military charges of obstructing justice. Teixeira, 23, entered the plea following the commencement of court-martial proceedings earlier this week at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts under a deal that calls for no additional time in custody and for him to be dishonorably discharged, according to one of his attorneys. He pleaded guilty after Military Judge Col. Vicki Marcus rejected Teixeira’s bid to have the charges tossed on the grounds that they violated his right to not be prosecuted twice for the same offense, after the Department of Justice had earlier prosecuted him in civilian court. The plea was confirmed by his lawyer in the Justice Department case, Michael Bachrach. Teixeira was expected to be sentenced later on Thursday. The Air Force had no immediate comment. The military charges were filed last year following what U.S. authorities say was one of the largest leaks of classified documents in years, including some related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Prosecutors say that Teixeira, while serving as an airman first class at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, in January 2022 began accessing classified information that he shared with individuals on Discord. Air Force prosecutors say Teixeira obstructed justice by then disposing of an iPad, computer hard drive and iPhone after the leaks were uncovered in April 2023, and instructed someone to delete online messages Teixeira had sent on the Discord messaging app. The Air Force pursued charges only after Teixeira had already pleaded guilty in March 2024 to separate charges brought by the Justice Department that he willfully retained and transmitted classified information relating to national defense. Teixeira was subsequently sentenced in November by a federal judge in Boston to 15 years in prison. Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today! Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of October 2024 general conference He shared how listeners can be a pure reflection of their Savior as “the salt of the earth.” Following is a summary of what he said In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior referred to those He taught as “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) “Just as salt in its purest form has the power to enhance and preserve so too does our faith in Jesus Christ when it is nourished and protected by our dedication to Christlike service and love.” The Lord’s covenant people should always do their best to be a pure reflection of their Savior And just as salt is made of two elements bonded together “we can’t be salt on our own,” so “we must be bonded to the Lord,” committed in efforts to serve our lives will naturally reflect His light and we will become the ‘salt of the earth.’ In this effort we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen our families and our communities.” Four simple yet profound ways to strive to be the salt of the earth include: prioritizing regular worship in the house of the Lord willingly accepting a calling and using digital communication tools to have meaningful interactions “Your unwavering dedication is a shining example Your service is appreciated and cherished.” we can also lose our spiritual vitality if our faith in Jesus Christ becomes casual we lose our ability to make a difference in the world and bring out the best in those around us.” Read more of Elder Teixeira’s general conference addresses A Massachusetts Air National Guard member was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for violating the Espionage Act by sharing hundreds of classified documents on social media a security lapse officials called "breathtaking" and "immeasurable" that led to punishment for 15 service members The leaks exposed embarrassing secrets and analysis from across the U.S intelligence community involving Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's race to develop nuclear weapons "The scope of his betrayal is breathtaking," Acting U.S District Judge Indira Talwani in a sentencing memo "The amount of damage he caused is immeasurable." 'One of the most significant' violations of Espionage Act: prosecutorsProsecutors recommended nearly 17 years in prison − 200 months − and defense lawyers were allowed to suggest no less than 11 years in prison Prosecutors said Teixeira caused "exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States" by posting the documents "to feed his own ego." "Defendant Jack Douglas Teixeira perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo "The harm the defendant caused to the national security from his disclosures of national defense information is extraordinary." public defenders Brendan Kelley and Michael Bachrach making friends online that he could never find in high school "His intent was never to harm the United States," the lawyers said his intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation." The case revealed what officials called a shocking security lapse assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s National Security Division said Teixeira “flagrantly” discarded warnings against distributing some of the nations most guarded secrets with “profound harms to our nation’s security.” Olsen called the disclosures “shocking to witness.” The Air Force disciplined 15 members of the National Guard after an investigation revealed a “lack of adequate supervision” and a “culture of complacency,” according to an inspector general’s report The inspector general's report found Teixeira began posting classified information in February 2022 in a Discord chat group that discussed geopolitical affairs He wasn't reported to the proper security officials until January 2023 Teixeira was observed viewing intelligence documents on his computer labeled "top secret" or "sensitive compartmented information," but the incidents weren't documented He was also told to stop taking notes on secret records but the incidents weren't immediately reported to the proper security official Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in disciplining members of the military that airmen and National Guard members have a solemn duty to protect classified information and must be held accountable for lapses Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person Jack Teixeira was sentenced 15 years in prison Teixeira’s lawyers wanted an 11-year sentence Federal prosecutors wanted closer to 17 years admitted to six charges related to leaking secret military documents on the social media platform Discord Teixeira used his top secret clearance in tech support in the intelligence wing at Cape Cod's Otis Air National Guard Base to access the secrets he leaked Federal prosecutors added that Teixeira knew what he was doing was wrong “As both a member of the United States Armed Forces and a clearance holder the defendant took an oath to defend the United States and to protect its secrets — secrets that are vital to U.S national security and the physical safety of Americans serving overseas,” prosecutors wrote News helicopters were overhead as Teixeira was arrested at his Dighton home in April of last year Attorney for Massachusetts said the damage done won’t fully be known for years "Jack Teixeira abused his position of trust and he exploited his top secret clearance to access hundreds of classified top secret information and share them on Discord a social media gaming platform that reaches over 150 million people across the globe," said Joshua Levy Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Teixeira spoke in court saying he takes responsibility and accepts the punishment Teixeira’s family members have not talked publically In a statement issued on their behalf in June they said in part: "The important thing is Jack will now have his day in court we are hopeful that Jack will be getting the fair and just treatment he deserves.” a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for leaking classified U.S on Thursday pleaded guilty to military charges of obstructing justice entered the plea following the commencement of court-martial proceedings earlier this week at Hansom Air Force Base in Massachusetts under a deal that calls for no additional time in custody and for him to be dishonorably discharged He pleaded guilty after Military Judge Colonel Vicki Marcus rejected Teixeira's bid to have the charges tossed on the grounds that they violated his right to not be prosecuted twice for the same offense Department of Justice had earlier prosecuted him in civilian court The plea was confirmed by his lawyer in the Justice Department case Teixeira is expected to be sentenced later on Thursday The military charges were filed last year following what U.S authorities say was one of the largest leaks of classified documents in years including some related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine while serving as an airman first class at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod in Massachusetts in January 2022 began accessing classified information that he shared with individuals on Discord Air Force prosecutors say Teixeira obstructed justice by then disposing of an iPad computer hard drive and iPhone after the leaks were uncovered in April 2023 and instructed someone to delete online messages Teixeira had sent on the Discord messaging app The Air Force pursued charges only after Teixeira had already pleaded guilty in March 2024 to separate charges brought by the Justice Department that he willfully retained and transmitted classified information relating to national defense Teixeira was subsequently sentenced in November by a federal judge in Boston to 15 years in prison This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page This photo illustration created on April 13 reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington As part of a plea agreement he accepted in March Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information in exchange for federal prosecutors agreeing not to file more charges against him under the Espionage Act he still has “his whole life in front of him,” and his “intent was never to harm the United States” but “to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation.” “The scope of his betrayal is breathtaking. The amount of damage he caused is immeasurable,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.  Forbes Community GuidelinesOur community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service.  We've summarized some of those key rules below Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.