Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Leaking Top Secret National Defense Information

A former analyst for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has pleaded guilty to unlawfully transmitting top-secret National Defense Information (NDI) to unauthorized individuals and attempting to conceal his actions. The case underscores the risks associated with insider threats and the critical importance of safeguarding classified intelligence.

Background on the Case

Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, Virginia, had been employed by the CIA since 2016 and held a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). He was arrested in November 2024 and charged with two counts of unlawfully transmitting NDI. His guilty plea includes two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information. Rahman faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 15, 2025.

Details of the Unauthorized Disclosures

According to court documents, Rahman illegally retained and shared classified intelligence documents with unauthorized individuals on multiple occasions.

• In spring 2024, Rahman accessed and printed five documents classified at the Secret and Top Secret levels.

• He removed these documents from his CIA workplace by concealing them in a backpack and took them to his residence.

• At home, he reproduced and altered the documents to obscure their origin before transmitting them to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.

By the fall of 2024, Rahman expanded his unauthorized disclosures, sharing an additional 10 Top Secret documents through similar methods.

On October 17, 2024, Rahman printed two additional Top Secret documents containing intelligence about a U.S. ally and its planned military actions against a foreign adversary. He then:

• Photographed the documents at his residence.

• Edited the images using a computer program to remove identifying details.

• Transmitted the sensitive intelligence to unauthorized individuals, who further disseminated the materials.

By October 18, 2024, the classified documents had been circulated on social media, reportedly posted by an account named Middle East Spectator on Telegram.

Link to International Incidents

Although the names of the countries involved were not officially disclosed in court records, multiple reports from Axios and CNN suggest that the leaked documents pertained to Israel’s planned military operations against Iran. The leaked materials, reportedly compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), revealed sensitive details about Israel’s military strategy.

Attempts to Cover Up the Breach

Following the unauthorized disclosures, Rahman took deliberate steps to erase evidence and mislead investigators:

• Deleted files related to the classified documents.

• Altered journal entries and written work on his personal devices.

• Modified work records on his CIA workstation to conceal his personal views on U.S. foreign policy.

• Fabricated entries to create a false narrative about why he had deleted the files.

Government Response and Security Implications

U.S. officials have emphasized the serious breach of national security posed by Rahman’s actions. Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch stated:

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of insider threats within intelligence agencies and the importance of stringent security protocols to prevent unauthorized disclosures.

Conclusion

Rahman’s guilty plea serves as a stark reminder of the legal and national security consequences of mishandling classified information. As the intelligence community continues to address insider threats, this case reinforces the need for enhanced monitoring, strict enforcement of access controls, and swift legal action against breaches. With sentencing scheduled for May 2025, Rahman faces up to 10 years in prison for his role in one of the most significant intelligence leaks in recent history.