Matthew R. Molsen, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Matthew R. Molsen, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transmit classified national defense information via a foreign online dating platform. David Franklin Slater, 64, who worked at the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base, admitted to sharing sensitive information with someone he believed was a foreigner.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated, "The defendant, an employee of the United States Air Force with access to some of our Nation’s most closely held secrets, shared classified information with someone claiming to be a foreigner on an online dating platform." He added that the Department of Justice is committed to holding individuals accountable for violating their duty to protect national security information.
U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska remarked, "Access to classified information comes with great responsibility. David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that person’s motives."
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office commented on Slater's actions: "Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation’s intelligence." He emphasized that the FBI remains vigilant in defending national security by investigating threats and criminal activities.
Court documents revealed that after retiring from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, Slater worked in a classified space at USSTRATCOM and held a Top Secret security clearance from August 2021 until April 2022. During this period, he conspired to transmit secret National Defense Information via messaging on a foreign dating website.
Slater attended USSTRATCOM briefings related to Russia's war against Ukraine and subsequently transmitted classified details about military targets and Russian capabilities through messages exchanged with his co-conspirator on the dating site.
The charge against Slater could result in up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for October 8.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Omaha Field Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald J. Kleine for Nebraska and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder are prosecuting.
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