Ex-CIA officer Joshua Schulte sentenced to 40 years for leaking “Vault 7” hacking tools to Wikileaks in 2017. Accused of damaging CIA’s ability and endangering personnel. Convicted of espionage, hacking, false statements, and child abuse image possession. Prosecutors claim it’s one of the most brazen leaks in U.S. history, costing CIA millions.
AT A GLANCE
- Former CIA Officer Sentenced:
Joshua Schulte receives a 40-year prison term for leaking classified CIA hacking tools to Wikileaks. - Guilty of Serious Offenses:
Schulte, also convicted of possessing child abuse images, faced charges including espionage and computer hacking. - “Vault 7” Leak Unprecedented:
The leak involved the release of 8,761 CIA documents in 2017, marking the largest data breach in the agency’s history. - Brazen Act in US History:
Prosecutors describe Schulte’s actions as one of the most audacious breaches of national security in American history. - Motivation Behind the Leak:
Schulte, a disgruntled CIA software developer, leaked information due to workplace disputes and a desire for revenge. - Severe Damage to CIA:
The leak immediately and profoundly damaged the CIA’s ability to collect foreign intelligence, risking personnel and costing hundreds of millions. - Attempts to Further Leak:
Schulte, held since 2018, attempted to send more information from jail, smuggling a phone and drafting tweets about CIA cyber tools under the name Jason Bourne.
Former CIA Officer Sentenced to 40 Years for Espionage and Child Abuse Charges
Joshua Schulte, a former CIA officer, has been handed a 40-year prison sentence for leaking classified hacking tools to Wikileaks and possessing child abuse images. The sentencing, based on charges of espionage, computer hacking, contempt of court, making false statements to the FBI, and possession of child abuse images, comes after Schulte’s denial of the allegations.
CIA’s “Vault 7” Tools Leaked in Largest Data Breach
Schulte, 35, a former software developer in the Center for Cyber Intelligence, was accused of leaking the CIA’s “Vault 7” tools, which enable intelligence officers to hack smartphones and use them for surveillance purposes. Prosecutors labeled this act as one of the most “brazen” breaches in U.S. history. The leak, involving 8,761 documents shared with Wikileaks in 2017, is deemed the largest data breach in the CIA’s history.
Motivated by Workplace Dispute: Revenge and Damage to National Security
During the trials held in 2020, 2022, and 2023, evidence suggested that Schulte, working in the Center for Cyber Intelligence, transmitted stolen information to Wikileaks in 2016. Prosecutors argued that his motivation stemmed from a workplace dispute, where he sought revenge against those he perceived as wronging him. They claimed that this act of revenge caused significant damage to the country’s national security, impacting the CIA’s ability to gather foreign intelligence.
Damage Assessment: CIA’s Operational Compromises and Financial Losses
Prosecutors highlighted that the leak immediately and profoundly damaged the CIA’s capabilities, compromising its ability to collect foreign intelligence against adversaries. CIA personnel, programs, and assets were put at direct risk, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. The breach, according to the justice department, inflicted severe consequences on the nation’s security apparatus.
Schulte’s Attempt to Conceal Responsibility and Further Leaks
Following the publication of the leaked data by Wikileaks in 2017, the FBI interviewed Schulte multiple times, during which he consistently denied responsibility. However, a search of his apartment uncovered tens of thousands of images of child sexual abuse materials. Furthermore, after his arrest in 2018, Schulte attempted to transmit more information by smuggling a phone into jail. He tried to send a reporter details about CIA cyber groups and drafted tweets under the name Jason Bourne, a fictional intelligence operative.
US Attorney’s Statement: Betrayal of Country
US Attorney Damian Williams stated, “Joshua Schulte betrayed his country by committing some of the most brazen, heinous crimes of espionage in American history.” The severity of the charges reflects the perceived magnitude of Schulte’s actions and their impact on national security.
With Schulte held behind bars since 2018, the sentencing represents the culmination of a legal process that exposed the former CIA officer’s involvement in leaking sensitive information and possessing illicit materials. The case underscores the challenges faced by intelligence agencies in maintaining the security of classified data and the legal consequences for those who compromise national security.
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