FBI Arrests 21 Year-Old US Airforce Employee Over Leaked Classified Documents

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has arrested 21 year-old Jack Douglas Teixeira, as suspect involved in the leak of classified military intelligence records online. 

Teixeira, a member of the US Air Force who is expected to appear before a federal Jude in Boston on Friday, was arrested at his home without any incident on Wednesday member of the U.S. Air Force National Guard. 

Teixeira who hails from North Dighton, Massachusetts, was arrested by the FBI at his home on Thursday without incident.

The leaked documents were posted online on a social media website around March but did not come into focus until it was reported by the New York Times.

Although charges against Teixeira are yet to be made public, Reuters quotes U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland as saying on Thursday that he was being arrested in connection with "an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information."

According to US extant laws, anyone convicted of willfully transmitting national defense information can face up to 10 years in prison.

To this extent, Teixeira may be facing a potentially long prison sentence depending on what charges he faces at last.