Defense Intelligence Agency IT Specialist arrested for allegedly sharing classified information
(FOX40.COM) — A U.S. Government Employee has been arrested for attempting to provide classified information to a foreign government.
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs stated that an IT specialist who was employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested on Thursday for attempting to transmit national defense information to an officer or agent of a foreign government.
The suspect has been identified as Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia. He was arrested in northern Virginia and is set to make his initial court appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday, according to the U.S. DOJ.
'This case underscores the persistent risk of insider threats,' said Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel on X. 'The FBI remains steadfast in protecting our national security and thanks our law enforcement partners for their critical support.'
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According to court documents, Laatsch became a civilian employee of the DIA in 2019, where he worked with the Insider Threat Division and held Top Secret security clearance.
In March, officials stated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation started a probe after getting a tip that an individual — now known as Laatsch — offered to provide classified information to friendly foreign government agencies.
In that email, DOJ said that the sender wrote that he did not 'agree or align with the values of this administration' and was then 'willing to share classified information' that the sender had access to, which also included 'completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.'
After many conversations with the FBI agents whom Laatsch allegedly believed to be a representative of the foreign government, he began to transcribe classified information to a notepad at his desk, and over about three days, he dropped the information from his workspace.
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Authorities said Laatsch then confirmed to the FBI agent that he was prepared to transmit the information. Just a little after, the FBI implemented an operation at a public park in northern Virginia, and he would drop the classified information for the foreign government to get.
Around May 1, FBI surveillance caught Laatsch going to the specific location and depositing an item, stated the DOJ. After he left, crews were able to get the item, which was a thumb drive, and later found that it had contained a message from Laatsch along with multiple typed documents.
Each piece of information that was typed had a portion marked up to the Secret or Top Secret level, the DOJ said. The messages showed that Laatsch had chosen to include 'a decent sample size' of information that was classified to 'decently demonstrate the range of types of products' to which he had access.
After the confirmation was received that the thumb drive had been received, on May 7, Laatsch allegedly sent a message to the FBI agent, which included that Laatsch wanted something in return for the continuation of getting information.
The DOJ officials stated that the next day, Laatsch specified that he wanted a 'citizenship for your country' because he did not 'expect things here to improve in the long term.' He also said he was 'not opposed to other compensation,' since he was not in a position where he needed to get 'material compensation.'
On May 14, the FBI agent advised Laatsch that it was time to get more classified information, and between May 15 and May 27, he tried again and started to transcribe multiple pages of notes while logged into his classified workstation. He folded the notes and hid the information in his clothes, according to the FBI.
On May 29, Laatsch arrived at the location that was pre-discussed in northern Virginia. He was arrested when the FBI received the documents.
At this time, the FBI Washington Field Office is investigating this case, with assistance from the U.S. Air Force OIS.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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