Former NSA Employee Sentenced to 21 Years for Attempting to Sell Classified Documents to Russia

Jareh Sebastian Dalke, a 32-year-old former employee of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison on April 29, 2024, for attempting to sell top secret documents to an undercover FBI agent posing as a Russian agent. Dalke, who worked at the NSA for less than four weeks, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to six counts of attempting to transmit classified national defense information to a foreign government.

According to court documents, Dalke used an encrypted email account between August and September 2022 to transmit excerpts of three classified documents to a person he believed was a Russian agent, but was actually an FBI undercover employee. Dalke requested $85,000 in return for the information, which included a threat assessment, a plan to update a cryptographic program, and a document related to a foreign government leader.

Dalke, who has degrees related to cybersecurity, arranged to transfer additional classified files to the supposed Russian agent at Denver's Union Station on September 28, 2023. He was arrested immediately after sending the files, which contained classified information.

Why this matters: This case highlights the ongoing threat of insider espionage and the importance of safeguarding classified information within government agencies. It also emphasizes the effectiveness of FBI counterintelligence operations in identifying and apprehending individuals who attempt to compromise national security.

In a statement, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “Dalke believed he was passing classified information to an agent of the Russian government. The hard work of our FBI employees prevented that from happening and any potential harm to the United States.” The Justice Department emphasized that Dalke, who had sworn an oath to defend the country, believed he was selling classified information to a Russian agent but was instead caught by the FBI.

Key Takeaways

• Former NSA employee Jareh Dalke sentenced to 21 years for attempted espionage
• Dalke pleaded guilty to transmitting classified info to undercover FBI agent posing as Russian
• Dalke requested $85,000 for classified documents including threat assessment and crypto plan
• Case highlights insider threat and importance of safeguarding classified information
• FBI Director warns that betraying country for money will be pursued and punished