Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 29, of Alexandria, Virginia, a former IT specialist for the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), pleaded guilty to transmitting national defense information to a foreign government.
Laatsch, who worked in the DIA’s Insider Threat Division and held a Top Secret security clearance, admitted to providing classified information to an individual he believed was connected to a friendly foreign government. The individual was actually an undercover FBI agent.
Summary
- Defendant: Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 29
- Location: Alexandria, Virginia
- Former employer: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Role: Civilian IT specialist in the Insider Threat Division
- Security clearance: Top Secret
- Charge: Transmission of national defense information to a foreign government
- Conduct: Transcribed and removed classified information from his workplace and provided it to an undercover FBI agent
- First FBI contact: March 2025
- Arrest: May 29, 2025
- Guilty plea: August 2026
- Scheduled sentencing: January 27, 2027
- Maximum potential penalty: Life in prison
- Case number: 1:25-cr-156
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What happened in the Laatsch case?
According to court documents, Laatsch became a civilian employee of the DIA in 2019. He worked with the Insider Threat Division, a role that gave him access to sensitive government information, and held a Top Secret security clearance.
FBI investigation began in March 2025
In March 2025, the FBI learned that Laatsch had offered to provide classified information to a friendly foreign government.
Soon afterward, Laatsch began communicating with an individual whom he believed was affiliated with that foreign government. In reality, the individual was an FBI agent participating in the investigation.
Classified information removed from DIA workspace
In late April 2025, Laatsch began transcribing classified information onto a notepad at his desk. Over approximately three days, he repeatedly removed the information from his workspace.
After those three days, Laatsch placed the classified information on a thumb drive and deposited it at a public park in Northern Virginia for what he believed was the foreign government to retrieve.
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The FBI recovered the thumb drive. It contained multiple typed documents with information classified at levels up to Secret or Top Secret.
What was on the thumb drive?
The thumb drive also contained a message from Laatsch explaining that he had included what he described as “a decent sample size” of classified information to demonstrate the range of products to which he had access.
After receiving confirmation that the drive had been received, Laatsch communicated that he was interested in obtaining “citizenship” in the foreign country.
He also stated that, although he was “not opposed to other compensation,” he did not need “material compensation” from a financial standpoint.
Second transfer of classified information
A week later, in mid-May 2025, the undercover FBI agent told Laatsch that the agent was prepared to receive additional classified information.
May 15–27, 2025
Between May 15 and May 27, Laatsch repeatedly transcribed multiple pages of notes while logged into his classified workstation.
He then removed the classified information from his workstation, hiding it in his clothing.
The conduct continued despite his position within the DIA’s Insider Threat Division, where he was responsible for helping protect sensitive government information.
May 29, 2025 arrest
On May 29, 2025, Laatsch arrived at a prearranged location in Northern Virginia and transmitted multiple classified documents.
The FBI arrested Laatsch after receiving the documents.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Global Counterespionage Unit and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The Defense Intelligence Agency also cooperated with the investigation.
Official statements on national security
Attorney General Todd Blanche said government employees entrusted with national secrets have a responsibility to protect national security and face serious consequences when they violate that trust.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said Laatsch’s disagreement with the U.S. government did not justify violating his oath to the Constitution or his responsibilities to those protecting the country.
FBI response
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stamos for the Eastern District of Virginia said political disagreement does not justify jeopardizing U.S. national security or violating the public trust.
Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division said Laatsch had betrayed his oath by offering classified information to a foreign government.
Rozhavsky also highlighted that Laatsch worked in the DIA’s Insider Threat Division and allegedly sought foreign citizenship in exchange for access to American secrets.
Guilty plea and potential sentence
Laatsch pleaded guilty to transmission of national defense information to a foreign government.
Sentencing scheduled for January 27, 2027
Laatsch is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2027.
He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other applicable statutory factors.
Prosecutors and case information
The case is being prosecuted by:
- Mark Murphy, trial attorney with the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
- Gordon Kromberg, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Related court documents and case information are available through the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-156.
The case highlights the legal and national security consequences that can arise when individuals with access to classified government information unlawfully disclose that information to a foreign government.
To read the original order please visit DOJ (department of justice) website