Jack Teixeira takes plea deal, will serve 16 years for leaking classified Pentagon docs

Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira will soon suffer the consequences for his role in one of the largest national defense leaks in recent history.

According to ABC News, Teixeira agreed to a plea deal that will land him behind bars for a period of 16 years. It was described as one of the longest prison sentences issued for such crimes.

The outlet noted:

According to the signed plea agreement filed with the court, Teixeira, 22, agreed to plead guilty to all six counts charging him with willful retention and transmission of national defense information.

As a result of agreeing to the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to not charge him with additional charges under the Espionage Act, which undoubtedly would have led to more prison time if convicted.

Before his high-profile arrest last April, the former Air National Guardsman "accessed and printed hundreds of classified documents." He posted images of the classified documents on his Discord server for the public to access.

Jack Teixeira, a 22-year-old former member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, pleaded guilty to leaking hundreds of highly classified military documents online. He could serve up to 16 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/fLmmNyLEi8

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 5, 2024

During his court hearing, Teixeira reportedly smiled at his father, who was sitting in the courtroom.

The former Guardsman was asked by the judge if he understood the terms of the plea deal, in which he would agree to serve a maximum of 16 years and new fewer than 11 years in federal prison.

"Yes your honor, I understand," Teixeira replied. When asked by the clerk how he pleaded to the charges against him, Teixeira answered, "guilty."

ABC News added:

As part of his plea agreement, Teixeira must sit for a debrief with the Defense Department and the Justice Department and give back any sensitive materials that might remain in his possession.

Social media users offered mixed reactions to the 16 year sentence agreement, with some bringing up past cases involving the Supreme Court leaker, and others droning on about Trump's classified documents case, even though it's night and day in contrast to Teixeiras.

"Pentagon Leaker Jack Teixeira just plead guilty to leaking classified National Defense information from 2022 to 2023 — he’s now facing years in prison for accepting all 6 counts. When will the Supreme Court leaker who leaked the Dobbs decision face consequences?" one X user wrote. 

Another X user wrote, "Not bad as long as he does all the time. Fine could have been higher."

He will be formally sentenced later this fall.