Officials: Suspected document leaker spoke of murder and violence, had guns stored in bedroom
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — New court filings show why prosecutors say the Massachusetts guardsman accused of leaking highly classified military documents should stay detained.
Jack Teixeira is due back in court Thursday for a detention hearing. Before that hearing, prosecutors released new details about why they think he's a national security threat in the U.S.
The court filings say his own obstructive and deceptive acts increase his flight risk and dangerousness.
Prosecutors say it appears Teixeira took several measures to hide what he had obtained and the people he shared it with from the government. They allege he told members on the social media platform Discord to "delete all messages."
Teixeria is charged with two crimes under the Espionage Act — unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material — which carry a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
After his arrest, authorities say they searched a dumpster at his home and found a laptop, tablet and gaming console, all of which had been smashed.
The court filings say it would be all too easy for Teixeira to release more classified information if released on bail.
A social media chat shows him telling people he tailored the information he was releasing to take important parts and include as many details as possible. Prosecutors are also making the case that he poses a physical danger to the community after finding detailed discussions online about violence and murder.
Among the information in the prosecutor's case to keep him detained are pictures of his bedroom that show target practice paper that appears to be covered in bullet holes, as well as handguns, shotguns and an AK-style high-capacity weapon.
All military facilities have 45 days to submit a report about how they access, share and destroy classified materials. Officials say Teixeria’s unit — the 102nd Intelligence Wing — is temporarily shut down while the Air Force inspector general investigates the leak.
