A federal court has sentenced Jack Teixeira, a 22-year-old former Air National Guardsman, to 15 years in prison for leaking highly classified military documents to an online Discord server. Teixeira, who served as a cyber transport systems journeyman with the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information.

Prosecutors revealed that Teixeira began accessing top-secret materials in early 2022, using his position to view documents beyond his clearance level. He initially transcribed the information onto notes before sharing it with about 25 members of a Discord server, ostensibly focused on Minecraft but also hosting discussions on darker topics like assassinations and conspiracy theories. Over time, Teixeira escalated his actions by printing out classified files on a rarely monitored base printer.

The leaked documents included sensitive details about the war in Ukraine, U.S. and NATO operations, South Korea’s ammunition negotiations with the U.S., and China’s supersonic drone program. Prosecutors described the scope of the damage as “immeasurable,” citing operational setbacks, compromised intelligence methods, and strained international alliances.

Teixeira reportedly shared the materials to impress his online friends and admitted he was aware of the illegality of his actions. In one instance, he joked about facing life in prison for revealing troop losses in Ukraine. His online behavior and dismissive attitude toward his military oath added to the gravity of his betrayal, authorities said.

The leaked files eventually spread beyond the Discord server to platforms like 4chan, where some were altered to misrepresent casualty statistics in the Ukraine war. After the leaks gained media attention, Teixeira attempted to cover his tracks by shutting down the server, deleting his account, and destroying electronic devices. However, investigators recovered evidence from his home, leading to his arrest in April 2023 with Discord’s assistance.

During sentencing, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy stressed the long-term damage caused by the leaks and their implications for national security. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall confirmed the incident prompted a military-wide review of security practices and disciplinary actions against several Airmen at the 102nd Intelligence Wing.

Teixeira expressed remorse during the hearing, apologizing for the harm caused to his family, friends, and military personnel overseas. While his guilty plea reduced the potential sentence, he remains scheduled for a military court-martial in 2025.

“This sentencing sends a clear message: those entrusted with national defense information will be held accountable for breaches of trust,” FBI Director Christopher Wray stated.