Jack Texeira, the suspected Pentagon leaker charged with releasing confidential intelligence files online and discussing “murder” online, should remain in jail.
It comes after a judge in Worcester, Massachusetts failed to make a decision earlier during a detention hearing.
The National Guardsman allegedly posted classified memos in an Internet chat room that touched on the war in Ukraine, as well as the US’s ties to key allies such as Israel.
Prosecutors had argued that he should be forced to remain in custody until he stands trial on charges of deliberately leaking secret government documents.
Jack Teixeira, 21, was arrested in connection with a leak of classified Pentagon documents revealing information about the war in Ukraine in a chat room on the social network Discord
Members of Teixeira’s family previously appeared outside the courtroom in Worcester, Massachusetts
A file from attorneys for the prosecution says the 21-year-old has spoken of “violence and murder” and “a murder van” in some of his online chats.
But Judge David Hennessy rejected defense arguments that the government has failed to demonstrate that Teixeira ever intended to widely distribute leaked information.
“Doesn’t anyone under 30 have any idea that if they put something on the internet it could end up anywhere in the world?” asked the judge. ‘Serious?’
The filing also included a November 2022 social media post about how Teixeira would “kill a (smooth) mass of people” if he had his way.
He called it “culling the feeble-minded.”
Prosecutors also claimed he should remain behind bars as he may have more files to release.
You have a young man in front of you who hasn’t fled, but has nowhere to go,” said Brendan Kelley, the defendant’s attorney.
“He will answer the charge, he will be judged by his fellow citizens.”
Teixeira entered his hearing in Worcester wearing orange prison clothes and smiling at his father in the front row.
His handcuffs were removed before he sat down and put back on when he was taken outside.
Photo evidence collected during the investigation of US Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira accused of leaking classified documents online
The criminal charges against Jack Teixeira were filed on April 14, 2023
According to the indictment form, Teixeira received the highest security clearance in 2021 as a member of the National Guard.
FBI investigators arrested him earlier this month without incident in Dighton, Massachusetts in a raid on his mother’s home.
Officers found that he kept his gun cabinet within reach of his bed and that it contained handguns, shotguns, shotguns and a gas mask.
Teixeira posted the trove of top secret files under his online username “Jack the Dripper” for months before the leak was discovered.
He worked as a junior cybersecurity specialist in the intelligence unit at Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.
It is believed to have started on a site called Discord, a social media platform popular among people who play online games.
Teixeira posted about guns, games and top secret information from the US government, but some of his fellow chat room members reported his activities to investigators.
It alleged that the 21-year-old used his government computer to search classified intelligence reports for the word “leak” on April 6.
That was the day the stories first circulated about the massive security breach.
Prosecutors allege he searched the term to determine whether U.S. intelligence had information about the identity of the person behind the leaks.
This document appears to reflect the state of Ukraine’s air defenses in February and May, when they are expected to be severely depleted
He was identified as the leader of a chat room known as Thug Shaker Central on Discord.
This document appears to reflect the state of Ukraine’s air defenses in February and May, when they are expected to be severely depleted
These are two of the leaked documents shared by the New York Times
He then allegedly posted images of folded papers because he felt his writings were not being taken seriously, the Associated Press reported.
US Justice Department officials have opened an investigation into the 21-year-old, whose actions have embarrassed US allies around the world.
Washington’s longtime friends, from Britain to South Korea and Israel, called much of the information bogus.
It outlined possible arms deliveries to Ukraine, as well as details of Western-led training for the Ukrainian armed forces.
The 21-year-old’s actions have been roundly criticized by lawmakers from all political parties.