US Air Force punishes 15 in connection with Jack Teixeira, the infamous classified docs leaker

The United States Air Force on Monday (Dec 11) announced it had taken disciplinary action against 15 service members who failed to report the actions of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, the infamous mole who leaked sensitive military secrets on Discord, earlier this year.

The findings of an Air Force Inspector General investigation found that indirect factors enabled Teixeira's unauthorised disclosure of military documents. Fifteen individuals from the ranks of staff sergeant to colonel received the punishments, ranging from being relieved from their positions to non-judicial punishment.

Col. Sean Riley of the102^ndIntelligence Wing, the unit whereTeixeira served has been relieved of the command whileCommanders of the 102^ndIntelligence Support Squadron who had been suspended were “permanently removed”.

“Had any of these members come forward, security officials would likely have facilitated restricting systems/facility access and alerted the appropriate authorities, reducing the length and depth of the unauthorised and unlawful disclosures by several months,” the US Air Force said in the report.

The report added that individuals inTeixeira’s unit hadthe picture of hisintelligence-seeking behaviours, but they failed to report him appropriately, fearing security officials might ‘overreact'.

What didTeixeira do?

Teixeira allegedly leaked the sensitive documents in a chatroom for gamers, Thug Shaker Central, on Discord, an instant messaging platform, primarily used by the gaming community. According to reports, Teixeira leaked highly sensitive information, including details about troop movement in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Teixeira said in the chat group that he was able to access the documents because he worked on a “military base". The accused was referring to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base where he was assigned the task to manage and troubleshoot computers and communications systems for the Air Force.

Incidentally, Teixeira had been leaking the classified documents for several months but it was only earlier this year that the US authorities became aware of such a breach. After US media carried the reports, a manhunt was launched to nab the mole.

Teixeira was indicted in June on six counts ofwillful retention and transmission of classified information related to National Defense Information. According to the Justice Department,each charge against him carries apotential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

(With inputs from agencies)