Retired Army Officer Sentenced for Sharing Classified Information via Dating Platform
A former Army lieutenant colonel, who later worked as a civilian for the Air Force, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for conspiring to share classified information. The sentence was handed down in a U.S. District Court in Lincoln, Nebraska, following his arrest in March 2024 and subsequent guilty plea in July.
David Slater, after retiring from the Army, held a top-secret clearance while working at the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, from August 2021 to April 2022. During this time, he attended briefings concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict and admitted to plotting to share sensitive information through a foreign dating site’s messaging feature.
Slater intended to send classified details about military targets and Russian capabilities to a supposed coconspirator, who presented herself as a woman in Ukraine. Notably, the coconspirator referred to Slater as her “secret informant love” and closed another message with, “You are my secret agent. With love.”
Slater received a $25,000 fine and will undergo a year of supervised release post-incarceration. His guilty plea resulted in the dismissal of two other charges. The exact affiliations of the coconspirator, whether with Ukraine or Russia, remain uncertain.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel commented, “Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation’s intelligence,” emphasizing the risks posed by Slater’s actions. He expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort in bringing Slater to justice, affirming continued partnerships to protect national security.
U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods highlighted the responsibility entrusted to Slater and noted his failure in duty by disclosing classified information.
The full story can be accessed through the Associated Press and further details are available via the Department of Justice.
