FBI Places $200,000 Bounty On Former U.S. Intelligence Agent Who Defected To Iran In 2013
FBI Places $200,000 Bounty On Former U.S. Intelligence Agent Who Defected To Iran In 2013
Witt, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on multiple espionage-related charges, including allegedly transmitting sensitive national defence information to the Iranian government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington Field Office has announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of former U.S. counterintelligence agent Monica Witt, who is accused of spying for Iran and disclosing classified American national defence information.
Witt, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on multiple espionage-related charges, including allegedly transmitting sensitive national defence information to the Iranian government.
According to the FBI, Witt served in the U.S. military between 1997 and 2008 before later working as a government contractor until 2010.
During her service, she reportedly had access to SECRET and TOP SECRET intelligence materials, including the identities of undercover U.S. intelligence personnel.
The FBI said Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and subsequently began assisting the Iranian regime by allegedly providing classified information capable of endangering U.S. personnel and operations overseas.
Authorities further alleged that Witt conducted intelligence-gathering activities on behalf of Iran aimed at helping Iranian operatives track and target her former American colleagues.
The FBI stated that her defection significantly benefited Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organisation accused by the United States of supporting terrorist groups and carrying out intelligence and unconventional warfare operations against American interests.
Despite the 2019 indictment, Witt remains at large.
In a statement released by the FBI, Daniel Wierzbicki, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, accused Witt of betraying the United States.
“Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime with National Defense Information, and likely continues to support their nefarious activities,” Wierzbicki said.
“The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts. The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice.”
The FBI urged anyone with information regarding Witt’s whereabouts to contact the agency through its hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI, local FBI offices, or the nearest American embassy or consulate. Tips can also be submitted online through the FBI’s official tip portal.
