(PartiallyPolitics.com) – According to officials for the Air Force, the U.S. airman who pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents on social media will be facing military criminal proceedings.
In March, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Jack D. Teixeira, pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents containing information related to the Russia-Ukraine war and other national security secrets. According to anonymous officials, Teixeira is now facing charges under the military justice system for obstructing justice and failing to obey a lawful order.
The hearing will take place on May 14 at the Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where a review of evidence will take place, according to a report by the Washington Post.
If prosecutors present a satisfactory case, the case could head to a court martial trial.
Teixeira, 22, took a federal plea in March that included a 16-year prison sentence. As part of his plea, he admitted to collecting classified military material and sharing that information on Discord, a popular social media app among online gamers. Teixeira had disseminated information relating to Ukraine’s air defenses and terrorist plotting in Afghanistan.
At the time, Teixeira pleaded guilty to all six counts that charged him with the willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Teixeira wasn’t charged with additional counts under the Espionage Act as part of the plea deal.
However, the Air Force’s disciplinary proceedings could mean more confinement for Teixeira following the completion of his federal sentence.
Teixeira’s potential imprisonment would be limited to one year under a special court-martial trial. However, the airman 1st class from North Dighton, Massachusetts could be subject to additional punishments; that could potentially include a demotion in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.
According to a report by the Post, Teixeira is facing prosecution from the Department of Justice and the Air Force. The pair of charges arose because he leaked classified information while he was on active duty.
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