Gov’t charges Jack Teixeira after arrest over classified intelligence leaks

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old National Guardsman, was charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information, as well as the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material on Friday, April 14, in a federal court. Teixeira was taken into custody by the FBI less than 24 hours prior at his home in North Dighton, Massachusetts, just days after reported leaks of over 100 classified Pentagon documents.

Teixeira served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, specializing as a “cyber transport systems specialist,” where he was responsible for military communications networks. His work meant he had a higher level of security clearance in order to access the military communications networks, a defense official told The Associated Press.

The Pentagon documents were first reportedly leaked in a private group on the popular platform Discord called “Thug Shaker Central.”

Teixeira spent years posting about memes, guns and games on the platform. He was described by one member as the “OG” and the unofficial leader of the group, as reported by the New York Times. Former classmates told CNN that Teixeira was dead set on joining the military even as a child and had a notable fascination with war and guns. In the Discord group, he saw himself as an unofficial leader, wanted to impress other members, and teach them “about actual war,” members told the New York Times.

Now facing two charges, Teixeira will be detained and has a hearing set for Wednesday, April 19.