WASHINGTON D.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a significant reward, totaling $200,000, for information that could lead to the apprehension of Monica Elfriede Witt. Witt, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and counterintelligence agent, faces serious charges of espionage. She is accused of intentionally providing classified U.S. intelligence, including the identities of undercover personnel and details of sensitive defense programs, to the Iranian government, specifically its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The core of the matter is the alleged transmission of U.S. national defense information with the intent to injure the United States and benefit Iran. The FBI's intensified efforts underscore the persistent nature of this alleged betrayal, with officials stating they "believe that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts."
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Background of Accusations
Authorities contend that Witt, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008 and subsequently worked as a U.S. government contractor until 2010, gained access to SECRET and TOP SECRET information. This access, the FBI alleges, was exploited to benefit Iran. Prosecutors laid out charges in February 2019, outlining a conspiracy that allegedly spanned from around January 2012 to May 2015. During this period, Witt is accused of providing documents and information related to national defense, knowing it would be used to the detriment of the United States.
The indictment also names four Iranian nationals accused of conspiring with Witt, facing charges that include attempts at computer intrusion and aggravated identity theft. Following her alleged defection in 2013, Iranian officials reportedly provided Witt with resources, including housing and computer equipment, to aid her purported work for their intelligence services.
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The FBI explicitly states that Witt is accused of deliberately providing information that endangered U.S. personnel and their families stationed abroad. Further, it is alleged that she conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime, aimed at targeting her former colleagues within the U.S. government. The FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, through Special Agent in Charge Daniel Wierzbicki, issued a call for public assistance, emphasizing that "the FBI has not forgotten" and believes individuals possess knowledge crucial for Witt's capture and prosecution.
Seeking Public Assistance
Individuals with any knowledge regarding Monica Witt's location are urged to contact the FBI directly at 1-800-CALL-FBI. A wanted poster containing Witt's photograph and additional details is accessible on the FBI's official website, specifically at 'fbi.gov/wanted/counterintelligence/monica-elfriede-witt'. The agency maintains that Witt remains at large, and they are committed to bringing her to justice. The FBI has not elaborated on the specific reasons for the renewed public appeal at this particular juncture, beyond general statements about the ongoing geopolitical climate with Iran.
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