Discord Leaker Jack Teixeira Sentenced to 15 Years for Espionage

Former U.S. Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing and disclosing classified military information on the Discord platform.

The 22-year-old served in the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, enlisting in September 2019. Initially focused on cyber defense, Teixeira later began accessing materials beyond his security clearance. Eventually, he began posting this sensitive information online, including on Discord, where he was an active participant in gaming chats.

The leaked information included U.S. and NATO plans, details about U.K. and U.S. personnel involved in military operations, and intelligence on China’s drone program. Prosecutors noted that Teixeira’s actions caused “exceptionally grave harm” to U.S. national security. Court documents emphasized that Teixeira leaked the classified data to impress his online friends and satisfy his ego.

Investigations revealed that he initially transcribed the classified information by hand before advancing to printing documents on a seldom-used printer. In his off-duty hours, he managed his Discord server of around 25 members, where discussions included mass shootings and political crimes.

Despite being fully aware of the illegality of his actions and receiving regular training on handling classified information, Teixeira continued posting data online. The leak garnered public attention as the documents spread beyond Discord—to other servers, then to 4chan and additional platforms. Some files were intentionally altered, further complicating the situation.

After the leak became public, Teixeira attempted to cover his tracks, urging chat members to delete all materials, erasing his account, and disposing of hard drives later found in a dumpster near his home. He was arrested in April 2023 after Discord provided his address to law enforcement.

Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawful retention and transmission of classified national security information. A federal court in Boston sentenced him to 15 years in prison with an additional three years of supervised release. FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that the sentence should serve as a warning to all those with access to classified information: “Betrayal of trust will carry serious consequences.”