A former National Security Agency employee, Jareh Sebastian Dalke, was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for attempting to sell classified material to someone he thought was a Russian agent, but was actually an FBI agent. Dalke pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to transmit national security secrets to a foreign agent and will serve 262 months behind bars. US District Judge Raymond Moore described Dalke’s actions as a blatant betrayal and close to treasonous.
Before his arrest, Dalke worked as an information systems security designer at the NSA and used an encrypted email account to transmit excerpts of highly classified documents to the individual he believed was a Russian agent in exchange for $16,499 in cryptocurrency. He requested an additional $85,000 for more national security secrets he possessed through his job. Dalke expressed his belief that the material would be valuable to Russia and offered to sell more US secrets in the future, leading to his arrest during a transfer at Union Station in Denver.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that Dalke, who had taken an oath to defend the country, was selling classified national security information under the belief that he was aiding Russia. However, he unknowingly outed himself to the FBI, leading to his arrest. The sentencing demonstrates that those who seek to betray the country will be held accountable for their crimes. The classified documents Dalke attempted to provide Russia included a threat assessment of military offensive capabilities, information about US defense capabilities, and details of a US cryptographic program.
Dalke admitted to making the decision to sell the US secrets due to financial debt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and his Russian heritage. His actions were described as deliberate and premeditated, with Dalke seeking monetary gain at the expense of national security. His sentencing marks a serious consequence for betraying the country and attempting to provide sensitive information to a foreign government. The undercover FBI agent involved played a crucial role in exposing Dalke’s espionage attempt and ensuring that he faced legal repercussions for his actions.
The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by insider espionage within government agencies and the measures in place to prevent and prosecute such actions. The severity of Dalke’s sentence sends a message that betraying national security will not be tolerated and those who engage in such activities will face significant consequences. The breach of trust by individuals like Dalke who hold sensitive positions within government agencies can have far-reaching consequences, underscoring the importance of maintaining strict security protocols and conducting thorough background checks on employees with access to classified information.
