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A retired Army officer sentenced classified info case has shocked U.S. intelligence officials. David Slater, a 64-year-old retired lieutenant colonel, admitted to sharing classified information about the Russia-Ukraine war on a foreign dating website. Slater, who later worked as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force, had top-secret clearance at the U.S. Strategic Command in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Prosecutors said he began sending restricted details about Russian military operations and potential targets to a woman he met online, who claimed to live in Ukraine.
Six-Year Sentence for Leaking Secrets
A U.S. District Court in Lincoln sentenced Slater on Wednesday to 70 months—just under six years—in federal prison. He was also fined $25,000 and will face one year of supervised release after serving his sentence. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiracy to disclose national defense information. In return, prosecutors dropped two additional charges.
Slater worked for the Air Force from August 2021 to April 2022 after retiring from the Army in 2020. Officials arrested him in March 2024 following a detailed investigation into his online communications.
Flirtation and Espionage on a Dating Site
Court documents revealed that Slater’s online correspondent frequently encouraged him to share secrets. She called him “my secret informant love” and “my secret agent, with love.” In one exchange, she wrote, “Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very pleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me?” Slater shared “Secret” military details about Russia’s war strategy. Authorities have not identified the woman or confirmed whether she worked for Russia, Ukraine, or another country.
Consequences and National Security Warnings
Federal prosecutors said the case highlights the growing threat of digital espionage and manipulation through social engineering. They warned that foreign spies increasingly use online relationships to target people with security clearances.
This retired Army officer sentenced classified info case underscores how quickly a trusted insider can become a serious security threat through careless digital interactions.
Read more about espionage and defense security cases in PhoenixQ’s Global Security section.
