A civilian employee at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was indicted after he allegedly sent classified National Defense Information (NDI) electronically to a person he met on a foreign online dating platform in 2022.
According to the indictment, 63-year-old David Franklin Slater, of Nebraska, worked in a classified space with the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base, from August 2021 until April 2022.
While working there, Slater held a Top Secret clearance, the U.S. Department of Justice said, and he took the position after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.
Slater allegedly “willingly, improperly, and unlawfully” sent NDI that was classified as “SECRET,” with reason to believe the information could be used against the U.S. or to aid a foreign country, to a person on a foreign online dating platform who was not authorized to receive the information.
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“As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said. “The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information.”
The indictment says Slater attended USSTRATCOM briefings on Russia’s war against Ukraine and was privy to information classified as TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS//SCI).
After meeting a person through a foreign online dating website, who claimed to be a female living in Ukraine, Slater allegedly transmitted NDI that he acquired during the briefings to them between February 2022 and April 2022.
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The indictment claims the co-conspirator asked Slater to send her the information that was sensitive, closely held and classified, calling him her “secret informant love” and her “secret agent.”
At her request, Slater would then send the person the information, which included military targets and Russian military capabilities.
Slater is expected to be in court on March 5 in the District of Nebraska, and if convicted of the crimes, he could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.
“Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information. The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities,” U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska said. “We look forward to continuing our work with the FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations to ensure the safety of our country.”
