Defense Intelligence Employee Arrested for Attempted Transmission of Classified Information

An IT specialist with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was arrested in northern Virginia for allegedly attempting to pass classified national defense information to a foreign government. Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia, faces charges stemming from an investigation led by the FBI, after he allegedly sought to compromise U.S. intelligence in exchange for foreign citizenship.

Laatsch, who joined the DIA in 2019 and held a Top Secret security clearance, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. government in communications with an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign official. According to court documents, Laatsch offered to supply classified intelligence products, unprocessed information, and other sensitive materials. Over several days, he allegedly transcribed classified data onto a notepad, removed it from his secure workspace, and later transferred it to a thumb drive containing documents marked up to the Secret and Top Secret levels. A meeting was arranged at a public park in Virginia, where Laatsch deposited the thumb drive for collection.

Following the initial transmission, Laatsch communicated his willingness to provide additional classified information in exchange for foreign citizenship, citing concerns about the long-term situation in the United States. Although he noted he did not require financial compensation, he remained open to other forms of recompense. The FBI agent indicated readiness to receive more documents, and between mid-May and late May, Laatsch allegedly repeated the process of transcribing, concealing, and attempting to deliver classified notes.

On May 29, Laatsch arrived at a prearranged location in northern Virginia, where he was arrested after allegedly attempting another handoff of classified materials. The FBI’s Washington Field Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and cooperation from the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Justice Department’s National Security Division, along with prosecutors from the Eastern District of Virginia, are handling the case. Laatsch is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs

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