Former Air Force Staffer Denies Sharing Secret Data on International Dating Platform – Sky Bulletin
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In a recent federal court appearance in Omaha, Nebraska, an ex-Air Force employee and retired Army lieutenant colonel countered allegations of disseminating sensitive government details. David Franklin Slater, 63, responded to counts of illicitly exchanging classified intelligence concerning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Slater, sporting short gray hair, was taken into custody three days prior to his court hearing on Tuesday. During his initial appearance, he briefly interacted with Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson. Although Slater had a federal public defender for the hearing, the judge directed him to appoint a private lawyer after reviewing his financial records, which included ownership of multiple rental properties in Nebraska and one in Germany.
The indictment outlined instances showing early 2022 communication between Slater and an alleged accomplice, who presented themselves as a woman in Ukraine, via emails and a dating site’s messaging service.
One such interaction highlighted in the indictment reveals inquiries directed at Slater: “Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting.” Another message queried, “Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant ‘surprise’ for Putin! Will you tell me?”
According to the prosecution, Slater’s messages indicated he exchanged protected information. In one, the mention was made, “You were the first to tell me that NATO members are traveling by train and only now… this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?”
Slater is accused of divulging details about military targets on March 28, 2022, and later on April 13, 2022, he proceeded to share intelligence regarding Russian military capacities.
The charges claim Slater compromised classified data from February to April of 2022 while he was participating in briefings on the war at the U.S. Strategic Command situated at Offutt Air Force Base. His term at the base spanned from August 2021 up until April 2022, following his retirement from the Army in late 2020.
Despite Slater’s ongoing court case, Judge Nelson verified that Slater’s access to classified information has been revoked. The termination of his employment has not been disclosed by the prosecution.
Agreeing to Slater’s conditional release on Wednesday, Nelson mandated that Slater relinquish his passport, agree to GPS monitoring, restrict movements to within Nebraska, and only utilize internet-enabled phones under surveillance.
The not-guilty plea entered by David Franklin Slater in response to charges of sharing classified information exhibits the gravity and sensitivity surrounding the protection of governmental intelligence, particularly in matters of international conflict. The case represents a stark reminder of the responsibilities bestowed upon individuals granted access to a nation’s secrets and the implications of breaching that trust. As the case proceeds, more details may emerge, but the precautions taken to ensure no further dissemination of classified information highlight the thoroughness of the judicial proceedings in safeguarding national security.
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