United States authorities reactivated the search for a former military intelligence officer accused of collaborating with Iran and revealing gleaming information related to national security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a reward of up to $200,000 for those who provide information that helps locate and capture Monica Witt.a former member of the US Air Force accused of espionage.
The case once again became relevant amid tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to the FBI, Witt would have defected to Iran in 2013 and since then allegedly continues to support activities considered illegal by the US government.
In a recently released statement, the federal agency indicated that it is keeping the investigation open and considers that there is still key information about the former agent’s whereabouts.
“The FBI has not forgotten her and believes that, at this critical moment in Iran’s history, there may be someone who knows something about her whereabouts,” said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence and Cybersecurity Division of the FBI’s Washington Office. “The FBI wants to talk to you so you can help us arrest Witt and bring her to justice.”.
Who is Monica Witt and why is the FBI looking for her?
Monica Witt worked as a counterintelligence officer in the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations.. Between 2003 and 2008 she participated in different missions in the Middle East, an experience that later placed her at the center of a federal investigation.
US authorities maintain that Iran recruited her while she still had access to gleaming information. In 2019, federal prosecutors filed formal charges against him for conspiracy and providing data related to the national defense of the United States.
At that time, John Demers, then assistant general prosecutor, assured that Witt would have shared highly classified information with Iran.
According to the accusation, the former agent revealed the existence of a “highly classified intelligence gathering program” and also the identity of a US intelligence official, which allegedly put that person’s life at risk.
Court documents indicate that, Between January 2012 and May 2015, Witt allegedly collaborated with Iranian officials both inside Iran and in other countries outside the United States..
The prosecution accused the former officer of conspiring to deliver “documents and information related to the national defense of the United States, with the intention and well-founded belief that they would be used to the detriment of the United States and for the benefit of Iran.”
The prosecution also claims that, after deserting, Iranian officials provided him with various supports to facilitate his activities. Among them, housing and computer equipment.
Until now it has not been publicly reported whether Monica Witt has faithful representation in the United States.
FBI also charges Iranian citizens
The case not only involves the former US agent, since Federal authorities also filed charges against four Iranian citizens related to cyber espionage activities.
The designated crimes include conspiracy, attempted computer intrusion and aggravated identity theft. According to the investigation, these individuals would have participated in digital operations directed against US targets.
If you have any information that may be of interest to the FBI, you can contact it by phone at 1-800-225-5324, a local FBI office, the nearest US embassy or consulate, or even through the website tips.fbi.gov.
You may also be interested in:
- They will send a direct payment of $500 this month: who qualifies
- The first tariff refund checks arrive: what you should know
- All banks will close their branches for a full day in May: why?
- Did you use a Bank of America card at 7-Eleven? You will receive money on demand
- Why SNAP coupons register a drop of 660,000 beneficiaries in one month
