U.S. military leak suspect to appear in court; had arsenal, prosecutors say

On Thursday, federal prosecutors will argue that a U.S. Air National Guardsman suspected of leaking military secrets and hiding an arsenal in his bedroom should remain in detention as a national security danger.

The FBI arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira at his Massachusetts home on April 13 for Espionage Act violations. His detention hearing is Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The 21-year-old allegedly transmitted confidential papers to Discord gamers, including some about Russia-Ukraine force movements.

Teixeira, who lived with his mother and stepfather, kept a weapons locker two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, and a military-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine.

According to a motion to keep Teixeira in prison before his trial, FBI agents found a gas mask, ammo, and a “silencer-style accessory” in his desk drawer.

“The defendant undoubtedly poses a danger to the U.S. at large based on his ability to cause exceptionally grave danger to the U.S. national security,” according to a motion by U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. “However, there is evidence to suggest that the Defendant may also pose a physical danger to the community.”

Teixeira was suspended in 2018 for making gun and racial threats in high school. Prosecutors say Teixeira blamed a video game for the insults.

In November 2022, Teixeira said he would “kill a ton of people” to “cull the weak-minded,” according to prosecutors’ motion to detain him.