Jareh Sebastian Dalke receives a near 22-year prison sentence for trying to sell classified U.S. Secrets to a supposed Russian agent, who was actually an FBI undercover agent
In a dramatic turn of events, former National Security Agency employee Jareh Sebastian Dalke was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison on Monday for attempting to sell classified information to what he believed was a Russian government official. The individual turned out to be an undercover FBI agent, leading to Dalke’s capture and subsequent trial. This case highlights a severe breach of trust by Dalke, who had previously served as an Army veteran and was reapplying to the NSA at the time of his arrest.
Dalke’s actions came to light during a sting operation where he engaged in communications with an FBI agent posing as a Russian spy. Over the course of their interaction, Dalke expressed his motives as driven by “curiosity for secrets and a desire to cause change,” according to prosecutors. He also mentioned financial struggles, suggesting that selling secrets would help “balance the scales of the world” while addressing his personal financial needs.
The transaction was meticulously planned by Dalke, who attempted to demonstrate his access to sensitive materials by sharing excerpts of documents that included details about U.S. defence capabilities, a threat assessment concerning another nation, and specifics of a U.S. cryptographic program. His price for these secrets was set at $85,000.
The culmination of this espionage attempt occurred in September 2023 when Dalke arranged to deliver the documents. Following the FBI agent’s instructions, he went to a train station in Denver, left his phone at home, and disabled his car’s location services to avoid detection. Once at the station, he used a secure connection on his laptop to transfer five classified documents. However, the FBI promptly arrested him moments after the transfer was completed.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland remarked on the case, emphasizing that Dalke’s attempt to betray his country had been thwarted and that the justice system would hold him accountable for his actions. This sentencing sends a clear message to any potential perpetrators that espionage against the United States is a grave offence with severe consequences.
Dalke’s sentencing marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts of U.S. law enforcement to intercept and prevent espionage. It underscores the sophisticated counterintelligence capabilities of the FBI and the severe penalties faced by those who attempt to compromise national security
