Baltimore, Maryland – A federal mountainous jury has returned an indictment charging Imprint Robert Unkenholz, age 60, of Hanover, Maryland, for willful transmission and retention of Nationwide Defense Files (NDI). The indictment became returned on March 29, 2022 and unsealed this present day upon the arrest of the defendant.
Unkenholz is predicted to earn preliminary appearance at 3: 00 p.m. this present day in U.S. District Court docket in Baltimore, earlier than Chief U.S. Justice of the Peace Issue Beth P. Gesner.
The indictment became launched by United States Licensed loyal for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Licensed loyal Standard Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s Nationals Safety Division; and Particular Agent in Rate Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Workplace.
As an worker of the Nationwide Safety Company (NSA), Unkenholz held a TOP SECRET/SCI clearance and had lawful entry to categorized knowledge concerning the nationwide protection that became closely held by the federal government (“Nationwide Defense Files” or “NDI”).
As detailed within the indictment, nationwide security knowledge is categorized as “TOP SECRET,” “SECRET,” or “CONFIDENTIAL.” Very finest people with the ideal security clearance can also earn licensed entry to such categorized nationwide security knowledge. All categorized knowledge can most productive be saved in an licensed facility and container.
Per the 26-depend indictment, on thirteen times between February 14, 2018 and June 1, 2020, Unkenholz, lawfully having possession of, entry to, and control over NDI, which he had motive to factor in will likely be feeble to the misery of the United States or to the coolest thing about any international nation, willfully transmitted that knowledge to one more person who became now not entitled to receive it. The indictment alleges that the knowledge Unkenholz transmitted became categorized on the SECRET and TOP SECRET/SCI phases and that Unkenholz transmitted the categorized knowledge using his non-public electronic mail take care of to the assorted person’s non-public firm electronic mail addresses. The person receiving the knowledge held a TOP SECRET/SCI clearance from April 2016 till roughly June 2019, whereas employed at a firm referred to within the indictment as “Company 1.” From July 2019 till roughly January 2021, the person labored for a firm referred to within the indictment as “Company 2” and became now not licensed to entry or receive categorized knowledge
The indictment alleges that Unkenholz’s non-public electronic mail take care of, and the firm electronic mail addresses of the person receiving the knowledge weren’t licensed storage areas for categorized NDI. Unkenholz allegedly retained the categorized NDI within his non-public electronic mail take care of.
If convicted, Unkenholz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for every of the 13 counts of willful transmission of NDI and for every of the 13 counts of willful retention of NDI. Exact sentences for federal crimes are most steadily lower than the maximum penalties. A federal district court purchase will select any sentence after allowing for the U.S. Sentencing Pointers and various statutory factors.
An indictment is now not a discovering of guilt. An particular person charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and till confirmed responsible at some later prison complaints.
United States Licensed loyal Erek L. Barron and Assistant Licensed loyal Standard Matthew G. Olsen commended the FBI for its work within the investigation. Mr. Barron and Mr. Olsen thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and P. Michael Cunningham and Trial Licensed loyal S. Derek Shugert of the of the Nationwide Safety Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Controls Allotment, who are prosecuting the case.
For extra knowledge on the Maryland U.S. Licensed loyal’s Workplace, its priorities, and sources on hand to support the community, please consult with www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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