Jareh Sebastian Dalke, 32, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison for attempted espionage in connections with his efforts to transmit classified National Defense Information (NDI) to an agent of the Russian Federation.
According to court documents, Dalke pleaded guilty in 2023 to six counts of attempting to transmit classified NDI to a foreign agent. From June 6 to July 1, 2022, Dalke was an employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) where he served as an Information Systems Security Designer. Dalke admitted that between August and September 2022, in order to demonstrate both his “legitimate access and willingness to share,” he used an encrypted email account to transmit excerpts of three classified documents to an individual he believed to be a Russian agent.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland remarked, “This defendant, who had sworn an oath to defend our country, believed he was selling classified national security information to a Russian agent, when in fact, he was outing himself to the FBI.”
Dalke's actions were closely monitored by law enforcement. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized, “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to all those entrusted with protecting national defense information that there are consequences to betraying that trust.”
U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado highlighted the severity of Dalke's actions, stating, “Two primary objectives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado include keeping our citizens safe, and safeguarding the United States of America.”
Dalke's attempt to profit from classified information was thwarted when he was arrested by the FBI moments after transmitting the files. The FBI investigation revealed that Dalke had intentions to harm the United States and benefit Russia through his actions.
The sentencing of over 21 years in prison for Dalke serves as a strong reminder of the consequences of breaching national security protocols and betraying the trust placed in individuals tasked with safeguarding classified information.