NEW: DOJ announces arrest this morning of Henry Kyle Frese, a DIA employee who allegedly leaked classified information to two journalists
The FBI says they intercepted certain portions of Frese's text messages and telephone calls, in which he allegedly leaked classified information to two reporters at news outlets "owned by the same parent company."
Indictment: documentcloud.org/documents/6464…
Indictment: documentcloud.org/documents/6464…
According to an FBI affidavit, they believe Frese was living and romantically involved with one of the journalists he leaked classified information to and that he leaked to the second journalist in part to help Journo 1's career
Affidavit: documentcloud.org/documents/6464…
Affidavit: documentcloud.org/documents/6464…
DOJ says this arrest is part of their broader crackdown on leaks, as telegraphed by then-AG Sessions in 2017. "Leaks of classified information cause undeniable damage to our national security. ... We are charging more individuals and we are attaining higher sentences."
Asked if DOJ will go after the journalists, US Atty for EDVA: “At this point, we’re just here to talk about what the alleged charged conduct is." Noted Frese is the only one who was charged in today's indictment. “I don’t have any further comment at this time.”
DOJ would not say if the journalists who allegedly published classified information provided by Frese work for US media outlet(s)
US atty Zachary Terwilliger: “I hope this case serves as a clear indicator” of what happens if you leak classified info. “It is neither selfless or heroic, it is criminal.”
FBI says the leaked information involved “capabilities of certain foreign countries weapons systems" — would not say which countries. "Put simply it threatens American lives." Wouldn't go into specific harm as a result of publication
DOJ says the information was obtained through Title III surveillance on Frese, not the journalists, though at least one journalist was intercepted by the FBI in a call with Frese, in which he allegedly gave her classified information, per FBI
Frese, who was most recently a counterintelligence analyst at the DIA, was arrested when he arrived at work this morning per FBI. He's being charged with two counts of "willful transmission of national defense information."
Per DOJ Frese is 30 years old. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the two counts if convicted, though they note: "Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties."
According to the affidavit, Frese allegedly accessed five intelligence reports which contained classified information using search terms that were unrelated to his job responsibilities. Classified info from those reports appeared in 8 articles published by News Outlet 1, per FBI
