Joshua Schulte, a former CIA officer, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for leaking classified hacking tools to Wikileaks, including the notorious “Vault 7” tools. The leak, deemed one of the most audacious in US history, compromised the CIA’s ability to collect foreign intelligence, placing personnel and assets at risk.
Schulte, 35, shared over 8,700 documents with Wikileaks in 2017, constituting the largest data breach in CIA history. Alongside charges of espionage and computer hacking, he was convicted of possessing child abuse images. Prosecutors argued that Schulte, a software developer in the Center for Cyber Intelligence, acted out of revenge over a workplace dispute, causing substantial damage to national security.
US Attorney Damian Williams stated, “Joshua Schulte betrayed his country by committing some of the most brazen, heinous crimes of espionage in American history.” Schulte, who denied the allegations, faced trials in 2020, 2022, and 2023 and has been behind bars since 2018.
The leak, beginning in 2017, significantly impaired the CIA’s capabilities and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. After the FBI’s interviews, a search of Schulte’s apartment uncovered a trove of child sexual abuse material, and post-arrest, he attempted further transmissions, smuggling a phone into jail and adopting the alias “Jason Bourne” to share information about CIA cyber tools.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a high-profile case that underscores the severe consequences of compromising national security through cyber espionage.
MOST KEY POINTS
Sentencing:
Former CIA officer Joshua Schulte has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for leaking classified hacking tools to Wikileaks, constituting one of the most significant data breaches in CIA history.
Vault 7 Leak:
Schulte shared over 8,700 documents, including the CIA’s “Vault 7” tools, allowing intelligence officers to hack smartphones and compromised CIA’s ability to collect foreign intelligence.
Child Abuse Images:
In addition to the hacking charges, Schulte was found guilty of possessing child abuse images, revealing a disturbing aspect of his activities.
Trials and Denial:
Schulte faced three separate federal trials in New York from 2020 to 2023, consistently denying the allegations against him.
Motivation:
Prosecutors argued that Schulte’s actions were motivated by workplace disputes and a desire for revenge against perceived wrongdoers.
National Security Impact:
The leak caused immediate and profound damage to the CIA’s national security efforts, endangering personnel, programs, and assets, and resulting in substantial financial losses.
Work History:
Schulte, employed as a software developer in the Center for Cyber Intelligence, conducted cyber espionage against terrorist organizations and foreign governments.
Anger and Workplace Dispute:
Reports suggest that Schulte’s leaking was triggered by anger over missed deadlines and a project behind schedule, earning him the nickname “Drifting Deadline.”
Post-Arrest Activities:
After his arrest, Schulte attempted to transmit more information, smuggling a phone into jail to share details about CIA cyber groups and drafting tweets under the name “Jason Bourne.”
Duration of Incarceration:
Schulte has been held behind bars since 2018, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing impact of his actions on national security.