Former DIA IT Specialist Pleads Guilty to Leaking State Secrets to Foreign Power
A former Defense Intelligence Agency IT specialist has pleaded guilty to leaking classified information to a foreign government after being caught in an FBI sting operation.
Nathan Vilas Laatsch, a former IT specialist for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), has pleaded guilty to leaking state secrets to a foreign government. Laatsch, who previously held top-secret clearance and worked within the DIA's Insider Threat Division, was arrested in May 2025 after attempting to pass classified intelligence products and documentation to an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign spy.
Laatsch, who had been employed by the DIA as a civilian since 2019, initiated contact with the foreign power in March 2025 by sending an email from a newly created account with the subject line "Outreach from USA Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Officer." In the email, he offered to share classified information, including intelligence products, unprocessed intelligence, and assorted documentation. He also provided a picture of his government ID and a username for an encrypted messaging platform.
The FBI quickly launched an undercover operation, posing as representatives of the foreign government. After initial communication delays, Laatsch began actively transcribing classified information onto notepads in his office, concealing his actions from colleagues. He then removed these notes, folded them, and hid them in his socks or lunchbox before leaving work.
Following FBI instructions, Laatsch attempted to dead-drop a thumb drive containing state secrets in an Arlington, Virginia park. The drive contained nine documents, eight of which were classified as top-secret and included sensitive compartmented information. The files detailed sensitive intelligence collection methods, foreign military exercises, and analysis of their impact, chosen by Laatsch based on his perceived interests of the foreign power.
During communications with the undercover agent, Laatsch expressed disillusionment with the current U.S. administration and indicated a willingness to accept citizenship in the foreign nation, though he stated he was not seeking financial compensation. He also shared insights into DIA's internal investigation processes and common mistakes made by individuals under scrutiny.
The FBI arranged a second dead-drop for May 2025, instructing Laatsch to electronically transfer files from his personal computer at a specific picnic table in the same park. Laatsch complied with these instructions and was arrested on the spot, leading to his subsequent guilty plea.
Laatsch's role in the DIA's Insider Threat Division, which is tasked with identifying and preventing leaks of classified information, makes his actions particularly significant. His access to sensitive intelligence and his position within a unit designed to counter insider threats highlight the severe implications of his betrayal.