Photo courtesy of Anadolu
A former civilian employee of the US Defense Intelligence Agency has pleaded guilty to transmitting classified national defense information after offering sensitive US government material to what he believed was a foreign government.
Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 29, of Alexandria, Virginia, had worked for the DIA since 2019 and held a Top Secret security clearance, according to the US Department of Justice.
The FBI learned in March 2025 that Laatsch had offered to provide classified information to a friendly foreign government. He later communicated with a person he believed represented that country, but who was actually an undercover FBI agent.
Prosecutors said Laatsch copied classified information from his workstation in April and transferred material marked Secret and Top Secret onto a thumb drive, which he left at a public park in northern Virginia.
He later expressed interest in obtaining citizenship in the foreign country and said he was open to other forms of compensation, although he did not require financial payment.
In May, Laatsch allegedly copied more classified material, concealed documents in his clothing and delivered them to the undercover agent. He was arrested on May 29 after another transfer of sensitive information.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche said government employees entrusted with classified material are expected to safeguard national security, while the FBI said Laatsch had betrayed that responsibility.
Laatsch is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.