U.S. Government Employee Charged for Allegedly Trying to Share Classified Secrets with Foreign Nation

An IT specialist working for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was arrested for allegedly trying to pass national defense information to an agent of a foreign government.

Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, from Alexandria, Virginia, was detained in northern Virginia and is expected in court tomorrow. He has been a DIA employee since 2019, working with the Insider Threat Division and holding a Top Secret security clearance.

In March 2025, the FBI started investigating after receiving a tip about Laatsch’s offers to share classified information. In his communications, he expressed disagreement with the U.S. administration’s values and expressed willingness to provide sensitive documents, including intelligence products.

Laatsch reportedly began copying classified information over three days and even believed he was communicating with a foreign government agent. He arranged to deliver this information in a public park, where he left a thumb drive containing classified documents and messages indicating his motivations and the type of information he could provide.

Interestingly, Laatsch also indicated he was seeking citizenship in the foreign country in exchange for the information. This brings to light the concerning trend of insiders considering cooperation with foreign governments—one noted expert in national security claims this warrants a reevaluation of how classified information is safeguarded.

The FBI’s investigation is ongoing, with assistance from other agencies such as the U.S. Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations. It’s a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to national security and the critical importance of rigorous oversight and cybersecurity measures in sensitive positions.

A recent survey highlighted that nearly 25% of defense employees reported concerns about their colleagues potentially leaking classified information. This incident underscores the urgency of addressing these internal threats.

Laatsch faces serious charges, and while a criminal complaint has been filed, it’s crucial to remember that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.



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