Former Defense Contractor Arrested for Military Information Leak and Theft

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested James Thomas Ashbacher on Tuesday over allegations of leaking national defense information and stealing military equipment, according to Van Nuys News Press, VINnews, and the Tampa Free Press. Ashbacher, a 37 year old resident of Spring Lake, North Carolina, was charged in an indictment unsealed the same day. [1][2][3]

Van Nuys News Press reported that Ashbacher is accused of posting national defense information on a popular social media platform and unlawfully keeping other defense documents at his residence. The indictment also charges him with stealing night vision goggles from the United States Army Special Operations Command. [1]

According to Van Nuys News Press, Ashbacher worked as an employee for a private security company beginning in or about 2021. VINnews and the Tampa Free Press both reported that the alleged security breach and theft were tied to his activities at Fort Bragg. [1][2][3]

Ashbacher faces criminal charges including the unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information alongside the theft of government property, Van Nuys News Press reported. [1]