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UPDATE: Ex @USArmy Green Beret who pleaded guilty to spying for #Russia sentenced to +15 years in prison
Peter Debbins of #Gainesville #Virginia was arrested last August, & entered the guilty plea this past November
Peter Debbins of #Gainesville #Virginia was arrested last August, & entered the guilty plea this past November
According to the indictment, #Russia intelligence 1st contacted Debbins in 1996, learning he was ROTC & planned to serve in the US military though his political opinions were "pro-Russian & anti-American"
Then, in October 1997 meeting, #Russia|n intel agents gave Debbins the code name "Ikar Lesnikov" while Debbins signed a document "stating he wanted to 'serve Russia'"
NEW: Ex @USArmy Special Forces officer arrested for spying for #Russia from 1996-2011
Per @TheJusticeDept 45yo Peter Debbins of #Gainesville #Virginia "periodically visited Russia &met w/Russian intelligence agents," provided "information abt his chemical & Special Forces units"
Per @TheJusticeDept 45yo Peter Debbins of #Gainesville #Virginia "periodically visited Russia &met w/Russian intelligence agents," provided "information abt his chemical & Special Forces units"
Debbins "betrayed the Special Forces & endangered our country’s nat'l security by revealing classified information to #Russia|n intelligence officers...identifying Special Forces team members for Russian intelligence to try to recruit" per @TheJusticeDept Asst AG John Demers
