Man suspected of leaking secret US documents to appear in court

On Friday, a Boston federal judge will hear from a 21-year-old Air Force National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military intelligence information online.

The FBI apprehended North Dighton, Massachusetts resident Jack Douglas Teixeira at home on Thursday.

Last week, the New York Times reported that the leaked secret documents at the center of the probe were posted online on a social media website in March or earlier.

Since WikiLeaks released more than 700,000 documents, videos, and diplomatic cables in 2010, it may be the worst security violation.

The leaks included supposed details about Ukrainian military vulnerabilities and intelligence about allies including Israel, South Korea, and Turkey. U.S. authorities are still assessing the impact.

U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland said on Thursday that Teixeira was detained for “an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information.”

Willfully leaking national defense information can result in 10 years in prison. Depending on the charges, Teixeira may receive a longer term.

The WikiLeaks leaker, U.S. Army Private First Class Chelsea Manning, was sentenced to 35 years in jail. Her sentence was commuted by Democratic President Barack Obama.

The Department of Defense referred the recent disclosures to the Justice Department, which launched a criminal investigation last week. On Thursday, the Pentagon called the leak a “deliberate, criminal act” and said the service had reviewed distribution lists to assure recipients needed the information.

It was unclear if Teixeira had legal representation.

More than 50 “Secret” and “Top Secret” documents have been read by Reuters, but their legitimacy has not been verified. It’s probable over 100 documents were leaked.

The U.S. is still trying to extradite Julian Assange from London to face prosecution for the 2010 leak.