A former civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force, David Franklin Slater, has admitted to unlawfully transmitting classified national defense information through an online dating platform. Slater, who previously served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army before retiring, was employed at the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska from August 2021 until April 2022. During this period, he held a Top Secret security clearance and had access to sensitive military intelligence.
Between February and April 2022, Slater engaged in online communications with an individual claiming to be a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating website. This individual, referred to in court documents as Co-Conspirator 1, systematically solicited classified information from Slater. The exchanges included requests for details about military operations, NATO plans, and weapon supplies. For instance, messages from Co-Conspirator 1 included inquiries like, What is shown on the screens in the special room? and You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, I’m sure there is a lot of interesting news there?
Despite his extensive military experience and security training, which encompassed courses on Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information, Counterintelligence Reporting and Awareness, and Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) Classification Training, Slater transmitted information classified at the SECRET level. This classification indicates that unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security. The transmitted information pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, The defendant, an employee of the United States Air Force with access to some of our Nation’s most closely held secrets, shared classified information with someone claiming to be a foreigner on an online dating platform. The Department of Justice stands ready to hold accountable those who violate their obligation to protect sensitive national security information entrusted to them.
U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska highlighted the breach of duty, noting, Access to classified information comes with great responsibility. David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that person’s motives.
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office underscored the betrayal, stating, Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation’s intelligence. Leveraging his access to sensitive information, Mr. Slater chose to transmit material that put our country at risk. The FBI is extremely thankful for the work of our partners in this case. We will continue to partner together to defend the homeland by aggressively investigating and apprehending criminals and adversaries who pose a threat to our nation’s security.
Slater has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transmit national defense information, a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2025. The case is being investigated by the FBI Omaha Field Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Kleine for the District of Nebraska and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities posed by social engineering attacks and the critical importance of adhering to security protocols to protect national defense information.
