Jack Teixiera: Airman accused of leaking US intelligence on Discord and remains behind bars pending trial | US News

A judge ruled that the US airman, who is accused of leaking classified files, will remain in prison pending his trial.

Jack Teixeira is accused of leaking numerous documents, including sensitive information about America’s allies and operations abroad, to the social media site discord.

The 21-year-old has been behind bars since his arrest on April 13.

His lawyers had requested that he be kept under house arrest pending trial, but their request was denied by Judge David Hennessy of the federal court in Worcester, Massachusetts.

So far, no trial date has been set.

Teixiera is accused of violating the Espionage Act in what has been described as the largest disclosure of classified documents since the 2010 WikiLeaks scandal.

“Who did he endanger?” said Judge Hennessy. “You could make a list as long as a phone book.”

Teixeira appeared at the hearing in an orange jumpsuit and a trendy new haircut.

In deciding to keep Teixeira behind bars, Hennessy said it was “not at all unlikely that a foreign government would approach this defendant in order to obtain information.”

The judge also cited Teixeira’s fascination with guns as having “an unhealthy component” and a lack of integrity.

Teixeira’s family said they were “disappointed” with the verdict and remain “steadfast and determined in our unwavering support of Jack”.

Continue reading:
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Behind the veil of the Discord platform where US secrets were revealed

The leaked documents contained top-secret information about allies and adversaries, with details ranging from Ukraine’s air defenses to Israel’s Mossad spy service.

President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation into why the alleged leaker had access to the sensitive information.

Teixeira is being held in the Plymouth County Jail south of Boston.