In the United States, a former employee of the Ministry of Defense was arrested who wanted to transfer secret data to Russia

In the United States, a former employee of the Ministry of Defense was arrested, who is suspected of attempting to spy for Russia. About it informs American Department of Justice.

“A South Dakota resident was arrested last night in Lida, South Dakota, in connection with felony charges related to his alleged espionage efforts,” the agency said in a statement.

According to the Department of Justice, 63-year-old John Murray Rowe worked for almost 40 years as a test engineer in various defense enterprises that dealt with aerospace technology. He had access to classified and top secret information, but was dismissed after a series of violations of the secrecy regime and “showing an ardent interest in Russian affairs.”

Following his dismissal, the FBI launched an investigation to see if he intended to pass on classified information to Russia. In March 2020, Rowe was met by an undercover FBI agent who posed as an agent of the Russian government. Over the next eight months, they corresponded, and Rowe expressed a desire to work with the Russian government and “discuss his knowledge of classified information relevant to US national security and defense interests.”

In one of the emails, Rowe revealed classified information regarding electronic countermeasures systems installed on American fighters.

After that, Rowe was arrested. He is charged with attempting to transmit information related to national defense to a foreign government. If found guilty, Rowe faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.