US military leak suspect poses danger, had arsenal of weapons, prosecutor says

Jack Teixeira kept a gun locker near his bed that contained handguns, bolt-action rifles and a military-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine

He should remain in custody ‘based on his ability to cause exceptionally grave danger to the US national security’, prosecuting lawyers say

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National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington, had an “arsenal” of weapons concealed in his home. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:25pm, 27 Apr 2023

A US Air National Guardsman accused of leaking military secrets and keeping an arsenal of weapons in his bedroom will appear in federal court on Thursday, where federal prosecutors are expected to argue he should remain in custody because he poses a national security risk.

Jack Douglas Teixeira was arrested by the FBI on April 13 at his home in Massachusetts and charged with violating the Espionage Act. He is scheduled to appear in US District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts on Thursday afternoon for his detention hearing.

Prosecutors say the 21-year-old leaked classified documents, including some relating to troop movements in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, to a group of gamers on the messaging app Discord.

Photo evidence collected during the investigation into US Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is accused of leaking classified documents online. Photo: Reuters

Teixeira, who lived with his mom and stepfather, kept a gun locker two feet from his bed, which contained handguns, bolt-action rifles and a military-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine.

FBI agents also found a gas mask; ammunition and what appeared to be a “silencer-style accessory in his desk drawer,” according to a motion arguing that Teixeira should remain in custody before his trial.

“The defendant undoubtedly poses a danger to the US at large based on his ability to cause exceptionally grave danger to the US national security”, according to a motion filed by the office of US lawyer Rachael Rollins. “However, there is also evidence to suggest that the Defendant may also pose a physical danger to the community”.

In 2018, while in high school, Teixeira was suspended after he was overheard making racial threats and remarks about guns. Teixeira attributed those remarks to a reference in a video game, according to prosecutors.