IT specialist arrested for attempting to share classified information with foreign spies
- Nathan Laatsch was found trying to share classified information with a foreign entity.
- He engaged in a series of transactions believed to compromise national security.
- Laatsch's actions raise concerns about insider threats in the intelligence community.
In the United States, Nathan Laatsch, a 28-year-old IT specialist employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency, was arrested on May 30, 2025, for attempting to share classified information with a foreign government. His actions were flagged after the FBI received a tip in March that he was willing to provide such information due to his dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. Laatsch worked in the agency's Insider Threat Division and held a top-secret security clearance, which granted him access to highly sensitive information. The FBI launched an investigation following the tip and began communicating with Laatsch, posing as foreign officials. Over a three-day period, Laatsch allegedly transcribed classified materials at his desk and concealed these documents in his clothing to smuggle them out of the Department of Defense facility. On May 1, he was observed by the FBI dropping off a thumb drive containing documents marked at both Secret and Top Secret levels, which he believed were destined for the foreign government. Following his initial drop, on May 7, Laatsch expressed interest in obtaining citizenship from the foreign government he was communicating with, citing a bleak outlook for the future in the United States. He continued to prepare additional classified information for transfer, communicating again with the undercover agent. On May 30, he arrived at a location in northern Virginia to deliver more classified documents and was arrested, highlighting ongoing concerns about insider threats from government employees. Laatsch now faces grave charges that could result in a 10-year prison sentence if convicted. This alarming incident underscores the potential risks presented by individuals with access to classified information and the need for robust oversight in intelligence agencies. The investigation is still ongoing, with officials stressing the importance of safeguarding national security against insider threats.