![]() The FBI agents suggested a meeting, but the person said the situation was risky, noting that they were risking their life in offering the information to the supposed foreign agent. Over the course of several months, the FBI, posing as agents of the foreign country, communicated with the person via encrypted email. The FBI posed as agents of another nation "I believe this information will be of great value to your nation. Please forward this letter to your military intelligence agency," the letter, handed over to the FBI, stated. "I apologize for this poor translation into your language. Navy documents, a letter containing instructions, and an SD card containing specific instructions on how COUNTRY1 should respond using an encrypted communication platform, and additional documents," investigators said in a court filing. The country was identified only as "COUNTRY1" in court documents. Investigators say an FBI official received the package intended for a foreign entity on or about Dec. The FBI later picked up on Toebbe's attempts to reach a foreign agent just after he had left the Navy, according to court records. The package listed a return address in Pittsburgh, Penn.Īuthorities say that package contained a sample of restricted data and instructions for purchasing additional information. ![]() Investigators say someone sent a package on April 1, 2020, attempting to establish "a covert relationship" with a representative from the foreign country. The 42-year-old former lieutenant in the Navy and his wife, 45, sold restricted information "concerning the design of nuclear powered warships" to someone they believed was a representative of an unnamed foreign power, according to federal law enforcement officials.Īccording to a biography provided by military officials, Toebbe had been awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal before separating from the military on Dec. Toebbe held an active national security clearance through the Department of Defense, giving him access to restricted data, authorities said. The department says Toebbe unwittingly communicated with FBI agents and passed along sensitive military secrets, in a scheme that stretched more than a year. The Department of Justice says Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, were arrested Saturday and charged with violating the Atomic Energy Act. Navy and his wife have been arrested on espionage charges, after allegedly attempting to sell secrets about submarines to a foreign entity, according to court records unsealed Sunday. A judge said Tuesday that each could face life in prison if convicted.A former nuclear engineer officer in the U.S. 12 in federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The Toebbes will have their initial appearances on Tuesday, Oct. Magistrate Judge Robert Trumble ordered them to remain detained pending a detention hearing on Friday at which more extensive arguments are expected to be made. Jonathan and Diana Toebbe each made brief appearances in federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Officials said that during the drops Diana Toebbe acted as a lookout. The FBI set up a sting, and corresponded for several months before providing $100,000 in cryptocurrency for the secrets, which were left in encrypted SD cards at pre-arranged “dead drops” in West Virginia and Virginia, inside a half a peanut butter sandwich or chewing gum packages. According to officials, the investigation began in April 2020 after Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to a foreign government, listing a return address in Pittsburgh, containing a sample of the Restricted Data and instructions to purchase additional secrets.
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