Intelligence Analyst Leaked Info to Journo He Was Dating: Feds

An unnamed journalist published at least six articles using classified information leaked by her romantic partner, authorities said Wednesday in announcing the arrest of Henry Kyle Frese. The 30-year-old counterterrorism analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency is also accused of sharing classified information with a second journalist at the urging of the first. USA Today reports the Virginia man has been charged with two counts of willfully disclosing national defense information; each has a maximum sentence of 10 years. Federal prosecutors allege that Frese wanted to help the career of the first journalist, whom he lived with for a year beginning in August 2017. The AP reports he allegedly accessed five intelligence reports and provided top-secret info about another country's weapons system to the journalist beginning in 2018.

In April 2018 the journalist allegedly asked Frese if he would be open to speaking to another reporter at an affiliated news outlet. "Frese stated that he was 'down' to help Journalist 2 if it helped Journalist 1 because he wanted to see Journalist 1 'progress,'" CNBC quotes the feds as saying. No information was given about the journalists. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said in a statement that "Frese was caught red-handed"; per USA Today, using a court-authorized surveillance of his cell phone officials say he was last month observed to share classified info by voice with the second journalist. The Washington Post reports Frese had a high-level security clearance and was arrested upon arriving at work Wednesday. (More press leaks stories.)