An American couple was convicted yesterday of trying to sell sensitive US information about a nuclear propulsion system for American ships to Brazil. The man, identified by the US court as Jonathan Toebbe, 44, is sentenced to 19 years in prison, while his wife, Diana Toebbe, 46, will be sentenced to 21 years. The two admitted to the plot in August.
“The couple conspired to sell sensitive information that would endanger the lives of military men and women and the security of the United States,” said Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney at the Department of Justice’s national security division.
“These actions are a betrayal of trust not only to the US government, but also to the American people,” said Alan E. Kohler Jr., deputy director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division.
The couple offered information to Brazil, as they saw the country rich enough to buy secrets, were not hostile to the United States, and were eager to acquire the same technology. But as soon as the duo handed over the documents to the Brazilian intelligence service, the government forwarded the pages to the FBI.
The couple also chose Brazil because they did not find it morally acceptable to try to sell the documents to US enemies or very close allies, according to investigations.
Jonathan and Diana were arrested in October after being tricked by an undercover FBI agent who appeared to be the Brazilian representative in the negotiation.
On June 8, 2021, this secret agent sent Jonathan $10,000 worth of crypto as a “goodwill” payment. Shortly after, on June 26, Jonathan sent information via a memory card hidden inside half a peanut butter sandwich.
The card had sensitive military design information regarding submarine nuclear reactors. In payment, Jonathan received a $70,000 reward.
It was Diana who accompanied Jonathan during the transfer of information at predetermined locations. She played the role of the watchdog who is responsible for determining whether her husband is being followed.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest, Jonathan was a Navy Department employee who served as a nuclear engineer and was assigned to the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Marine Reactors.
He received an active national security clearance through the Department of Defense, which gave him access to “restricted data” under the US Atomic Energy Act.
source: Noticias
