Retired Army Lt. Col. Pleads Guilty in Online Spy Plot: Believed He Was Helping Ukrainian 'Lover'

A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and former military contractor has admitted guilt in a conspiracy to transmit classified defense information, having been ensnared by a complex online “honeypot” operation. 

David Slater, a civilian contractor at the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) in Nebraska, thought he was in contact with a Ukrainian woman during the initial phase of Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine. In truth, the person identified as a co-conspirator by the authorities was probably an operative for a foreign intelligence agency.

Slater, 63, maintained a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance from August 2021 to April 2022. During that time, he started having explicit conversations with an online persona through a dating website. 

Court documents reveal that the person referred to Slater as a “secret informant love” and consistently urged him for confidential military details. “Dear Dave, is there an undisclosed strategy from NATO and Biden to assist us?” Check out one of the messages. A different person raised doubts about the reliability of U.S. intelligence assertions concerning the positions of Russian forces.

During that period, Slater was participating in essential briefings at STRATCOM, the command responsible for managing the United States' nuclear capabilities and military strategies. In April, he faced charges for two counts related to the unauthorized disclosure of national defense information. However, those charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal in which he admitted to conspiracy. 

Prosecutors allege that Slater disclosed confidential information regarding U.S. military strategy, Russian troop locations, and various sensitive defense operations in online communications.

Slater is looking at a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, along with a fine that could reach up to $250,000, when he is sentenced on October 8. His federal benefits may be revoked.

U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods highlighted the gravity of the breach, stating, “Access to classified information comes with enormous responsibility.” David Slater neglected his responsibilities by intentionally disclosing national defense information to an unidentified online figure.

Slater had a military career spanning two significant periods, first from 1981 to 1984 and then from 2008 to 2020, with a focus on logistics. 

Following his retirement, he became a part of STRATCOM, taking on a role within the logistics directorate. A representative for STRATCOM has verified that he departed from the position in 2022.

The situation underscores increasing worries about tactics of digital manipulation and espionage risks aimed at U.S. personnel who handle sensitive information.

‍