ISTANBUL
A former Air National Guardsman in the US state of Massachusetts now serving a 15-year federal sentence for leaking classified documents has pleaded guilty in a military court-martial to obstructing justice, securing a dishonorable discharge but no further jail time.
Jack Teixeira admitted Thursday to disposing of electronic devices and directing the deletion of online messages to hinder the investigation into his leaks, according to court records. A second charge of disobeying orders was dropped as part of a plea deal.
Before his sentencing, Teixeira spoke of himself as a whistleblower, claiming he acted to reveal "lies manufactured and perpetuated by the Biden administration" about the Russia-Ukraine war.
"I knowingly made choices to inform the American public and open their eyes," he said, as reported by ABC News. "I am comfortable with how history will remember me and my actions."
"The important thing for us was the dishonorable discharge,” Lt. Col. Peter Havern, the lead prosecutor, told reporters.
"We wanted to reflect to our airmen and guardians, as well as to the public, that when you commit the crimes that he committed, we need to accurately depict your service as a dishonorable service."
Teixeira, 22, was arrested in 2023 after authorities discovered he had posted highly sensitive US intelligence assessments on Discord, a popular online platform for gamers.
Prosecutors have described his actions as "one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history."
Under his previous plea agreement, Teixeira admitted to six counts of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information.
His military conviction does not alter his existing 15-year sentence, but he remains subject to an automatic appeal within the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.