Air Force Vet Admitted To Leaking NSA Documents, But Her Confession Might Not Count In Court – Task & Purpose
An Air Force veteran told FBI agents that she had leaked classified U.S. documents, but a legal technicality may prevent prosecutors from using the confession as evidence in her upcoming trial, the Associated Press reports.
Reality Winner, a 25-year-old former Air Force linguist, stands charged of copying a classified report and mailing it to a leak-friendly news site. Winner was working as a government contractor in Augusta, Georgia, when the leak occurred in early May. She held a top secret security clearance at the time.
Winner later admitted to a pair of FBI agents that she had leaked the documents, according to a criminal complaint filed June 5 in the U.S.s Southern Georgia District Court. The two agents were executing a search warrant at Winners apartment when the confession was made.
[Winner] admitted removing the classified intelligence reporting from her office space, retaining it, and mailing it from Augusta, Georgia, to the news outlet, which she knew was not authorized to receive or possess the documents, according to a Department of Justice statement released on June 5.
Winners defense attorneys are now asking a federal judge to suppress any comments she made during the interview because the agents never gave her a Miranda warning, which law enforcement officials must read to criminal suspects in custody. But Winner had not been formally arrested at that point.
However, according to the AP, in a court motion filed on Aug. 29, an attorney for Winner said that she believed she was under arrest as she was being questioned in her apartment, noting that the agents were standing in front of the door.
Winner was never told she was free to leave, nor was she advised as to her arrest status, Winners attorneys wrote. Indeed, when she specifically asked whether she was under arrest, the agents told her they did not know the answer to that yet.
As of Aug. 31, the judge had not yet ruled on the defense motion, nor had prosecutors filed a reply. But on Aug. 30, U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps agreed to postpone Winners trial, which was due to begin in October. The case has now been rescheduled for March 2018.
According to the AP, Winner has pleaded not guilty to charges that she illegally retained and transmitted national defense information. And while authorities have not publicly discussed what that information was or to whom Winner transmitted it to, it seems fairly obvious.
The Intercept reported in May that it had obtained a classified National Security Agency report suggesting Russian military intelligence executed a cyberattack on at least one U.S. voting software supplier and sent spear-phishing emails to more than 100 local election officials just days before last Novembers presidential election.
The Intercept said the NSA report was dated May 5, which is the same date that appeared on the document Winner is charged with leaking.
Soon after Winners arrest, The Intercept announced that its parent company, First Look Media, had decided to provide independent support for her legal defense, and argued that the leak highlighted vulnerabilities in the U.S. election system and [provided] vital context for the current debate over Russian interference in the election.
Winner could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
See more here:
Air Force Vet Admitted To Leaking NSA Documents, But Her Confession Might Not Count In Court - Task & Purpose
- Filipinos aware of civilian supremacy over military NSA Ao - Philippine News Agency - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Sonam Wangchuk says his words were twisted to justify his NSA detention - The Statesman - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Nokia and stc pioneer the first commercial 5G NSA Cloud RAN deployment in the MEA region - ZAWYA - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- China accuses NSA of multi-year hack targeting its national time systems - Nextgov/FCW - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Cybersecurity News: AWS outage, NSA hacking accusations, High risk WhatsApp automation - CISO Series - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Hackers Say They Have Personal Data of Thousands of NSA and Other Government Officials - Homeland Security Today - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- AWS outage, NSA hacking accusations, High risk WhatsApp automation - LinkedIn - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: No Concessions Were Made In The Oslo Accords 1.85 Million Palestinians Returned To Their Homeland;... - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- NSA to partner JKG to drive sports technology through Artificial Intelligence - GhanaWeb - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- China claims NSA hacked its national timing systems using 42 "special cyber weapons" - TechSpot - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- US NSA alleged to have launched a cyber attack on a Chinese agency - csoonline.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Hackers Say They Have Personal Data of Thousands of NSA and Other Government Officials - 404 Media - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- China says it has foiled a series U.S. cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure Ministry of State Security says it has 'irrefutable evidence' NSA... - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- China claims the NSA conducted cyberattacks on its national time center - Engadget - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- China claims the US NSA conducted cyberattacks on its national time center - TechRadar - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Donald Trump's ex-NSA John Bolton indicted; charged over mishandling classified information; Trump calls - Times of India - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump critic and former NSA adviser John Bolton indicted on classified documents charges - MLive.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- NSA Accused of Stealing Secrets from Chinas National Time Centre - Modern Diplomacy - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Ex-Donald Trump NSA John Bolton Indicted: All About The 18 Charges - NDTV - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Explained: What are the charges against ex-US NSA John Bolton? What next? - Firstpost - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Former Trump NSA John Bolton Indicted On 18 Counts For Sharing Classified Information - Republic World - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Ex-Trump NSA Bolton charged with storing, sharing classified information - Business Standard - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Lt. Gen. William Hartman, acting leader of NSA and Cyber Command, will not be nominated for the dual-hat role - POLITICO Pro - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Shaping health futures together: NSA engagement for EPW2 and Ageing is Living - World Health Organization (WHO) - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Trump's ex-NSA John Bolton indicted over sharing US defence secrets: Was his email hacked by Iran? - WION - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- John Bolton Indicted: What are the Charges Against Trump's Former NSA? - Times Now - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- China infrastructure hacks are 'unrestricted warfare' against America, former NSA director says - Washington Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Children were scared to sleep outside, many stopped going to schools: Why NSA was invoked against a rape accused in UPs Bhadohi - The Indian Express - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Chinas Capacity to Hack the U.S. Is Growing, Former NSA and Retired Gen. Tim Haugh Warns - Homeland Security Today - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Ousted NSA head Gen. Tim Haugh on his firing by the Trump administration - CBS News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- China's capacity to hack the U.S. is growing, former NSA head says. Here's what they're targeting and why. - CBS News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- China is hacking America's critical infrastructure, former NSA and retired Gen. Tim Haugh warns - CBS News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- John Bolton, Former US NSA And Trump Critic, May Face Federal Charges Soon: Report - News18 - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Acting US Cyber Command, NSA chief wont be nominated for the job, sources say - The Record from Recorded Future News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Exclusive: DOJ seeking criminal charges against Trump's former NSA John Bolton - Yahoo - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- NSA boss explains how revenue from Ghana-Mali game will be shared - GhanaWeb - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- NSA rolls out digital skills, military training and smart reforms - GBC Ghana Online - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Overheated Solar Panel Batteries Caused Fire at NSA Chiefs Residence - liberianobserver.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- NSA Doval meets Brazilian counterpart to review cooperation in strategic areas | Latest News India - Hindustan Times - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Red Hat allegedly hit by huge breach exposing major organizations, including the NSA - Cybernews - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- NSA officer injured after Maryland man drives through checkpoint, rams multiple police vehicles - WMAR 2 News Baltimore - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Why should officials not be fined: HC on illegal NSA arrest - The Times of India - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- SKM demands to release Sonam Wangchuk, revoke imposition of NSA - The Times of India - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Seoul's NSA reportedly says S.Korea unable to pay $350b upfront in investment in US for tariff deal; weaponizing alliance exposes nature of US... - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- 'Delhi banega Khalistan': Freed Khalistani terrorist out on bail in Canada threatens India, targets NSA A - The Times of India - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Two Days After His Detention Under NSA, Sonam Wangchuks Wife Says She Is Yet to Speak to Him - The Wire India - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA: What to know about National Security Act - The Indian Express - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Evercore ISI Raises PT on National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA) to $32, Maintains an Underperform Rating - Yahoo Finance - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Sonam Wangchuk Arrested under NSA: Ladakh admin explains why he was moved to Jodhpur jail - Mint - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- NSA whistleblower Reality Winner on rebuilding her life in new memoir - MSN - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Assessing the Valuation of National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA) After Recent Share Price Moves - simplywall.st - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- NSA Warns iPhone And Android UsersClose All Apps If You See This - Forbes - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- US' Ex-NSA John Bolton: Trump Should Call Modi, Fix Relations, And Visit India For QUAD Summit' - Times of India - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- 'Come To India': Ex-NSA's Words Of Wisdom To Trump On Tariff, Indo-US Ties - Times of India - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Video NSA whistleblower Reality Winner on rebuilding her life in new memoir - ABC News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Former US NSA calls India proud and strong, criticises Trumps India strategy - The Shillong Times - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Video | Ex-US NSA's Explosive Interview: 'Navarro Keeps Picking Fights' - NDTV - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- NSA, EFCC, DSS urged to probe alleged funding of bandits in Zamfara - The Guardian Nigeria News - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Ex-US NSA Reveals Navarro Once Attempted Confrontation Between Donald Trump, PM Modi - News18 - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Navarro tried to provoke Modi-Trump clash, claims ex-US NSA; says India should ignore the sideshow - Moneycontrol - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- 'Erratic behaviour': Ex-US NSA John Bolton slams Trumps India tariffs; rejects claim of brokering India- - The Times of India - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Unqualified to be US Ambassador to India: Ex-US NSA slams Sergio Gor nomination; dismisses Navarros re - The Times of India - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Trump's not thinking about the effects of his actions: Ex-US NSA John Bolton - The Times of India - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- NSA leaker Reality Winner is rebuilding her life -- and looking back at her past - NPR - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- India should see Trump as one-time proposition: Ex-US NSA John Bolton flags number of concerns on Indian side - Mint - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Peter Navarro Tried To Start Fight Between Trump, PM Modi: Ex US NSA - NDTV - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- 'Erratic behaviour': Ex-US NSA John Bolton slams Trumps India tariffs; rejects claim of brokering India-Pak peace - MSN - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- India should see Trump as one-time proposition and act in its national interest: Ex-US NSA John Bolton - Tribune India - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Cyber Command, NSA to remain under single leader as officials shelve plan to end 'dual hat' - The Record from Recorded Future News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Cyber Command, NSA to remain under the leadership of one person - SC Media - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- CISA, NSA and Partners Release Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials for Cybersecurity Guide - Homeland Security Today - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- New Research Reveals How NSA is Affecting Providers, Consumers - MedLearn Publishing - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- NSA, CISA and others urge for unified approach to strengthen cybersecurity resilience - Digital Watch Observatory - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Federal firefighter stationed at NSA Portsmouth saves passenger in cardiac arrest with life-saving CPR during flight - KREM - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- NSA Director-General reassigned to Ministry of Finance - GhanaWeb - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Federal firefighter stationed at NSA Portsmouth saves passenger in cardiac arrest with life-saving CPR during flight - ABC10 - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Federal firefighter stationed at NSA Portsmouth saves passenger in cardiac arrest with life-saving CPR during flight - 12News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Federal firefighter stationed at NSA Portsmouth saves passenger in cardiac arrest with life-saving CPR during flight - 13newsnow.com - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Trump expected to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman to lead NSA, Cyber Command - Politico - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Trumps personal rapport with PM Modi is gone, says former US NSA John Bolton; warns ties wont shield le - The Times of India - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]